Population divergence in the ontogenetic trajectories of foliar terpenes of a Eucalyptus species.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The development of plant secondary metabolites during early life stages can have significant ecological and evolutionary implications for plant-herbivore interactions. Foliar terpenes influence a broad range of ecological interactions, including plant defence, and their expression may be influenced by ontogenetic and genetic factors. This study investigates the role of these factors in the expression of foliar terpene compounds in Eucalyptus globulus seedlings.

Methods

Seedlings were sourced from ten families each from three genetically distinct populations, representing relatively high and low chemical resistance to mammalian herbivory. Cotyledon-stage seedlings and consecutive leaf pairs of true leaves were harvested separately across an 8-month period,

SUBMITTER: Borzak CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4284115 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature