Effect of nitrogen fertilization on caffeine production in coffee (Coffea arabica) |
| |
Authors: | David J Gonthier Jason D Witter Alison L Spongberg Stacy M Philpott |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft Rd., Mail Stop 604, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;(2) Present address: School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Nitrogen (N) based secondary metabolite production is thought to be costly to plants because N is required for growth, as
well as, the synthesis of these compounds. Therefore, variation in N availability may result in variation in N-based secondary
metabolite production. Here, we determine the effect of N fertilization on caffeine (N-based alkaloid) production in coffee
(Coffea arabica) seedlings. A growth chamber experiment was performed with three N treatments applied to seedlings. N fertilization increased
plant growth, leaf biomass, and plant N. Caffeine concentration in phloem exudates was greater in high-N fertilized plants
relative to intermediate- and low-N plants. However, leaf, stem, root, and total overall caffeine concentration and content
did not differ across N treatments. These results suggest caffeine in coffee is strongly regulated by genetic factors, and
environment is likely less important to caffeine phenotype. This is among the first studies to investigate the effect of N
fertilization on caffeine within the phloem, which has important implications for herbivores that are sensitive to caffeine
and plant N and feed from the phloem of coffee. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|