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Exogenous gibberellin enhances secondary xylem development and lignification in carrot taproot

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Abstract

Gibberellins (GAs) are important growth regulators involved in plant development processes. However, limited information is known about the relationship between GA and xylogenesis in carrots. In this study, carrot roots were treated with GA3. The effects of applied GA3 on root growth, xylem development, and lignin accumulation were then investigated. Results indicated that GA treatment dose-dependently inhibited carrot root growth. The cell wall significantly thickened in the xylem parenchyma. Autofluorescence analysis with ultraviolet (UV) excitation indicated that these cells became lignified because of long-term GA3 treatment. Moreover, lignin content increased in the roots, and the transcripts of lignin biosynthesis genes were altered in response to applied GA3. Our data indicate that GA may play important roles in xylem growth and lignification in carrot roots. Further studies shall focus on regulating plant lignification, which may be achieved by modifying GA levels within plant tissues.

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Abbreviations

4CL:

4-coumarate-CoA ligase;

C3ʹH:

p-coumaroyl shikimate/quinate 3ʹ-hydroxylase;

C4H:

Cinnamate 4-hydroxylase;

CAD:

Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase;

CCoAOMT:

Caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase;

CCR:

Cinnamoyl-CoA reductase;

DAT:

Days after treatment;

FW:

Fresh weight;

GA:

Gibberellin;

HCT:

Hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimate/quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase;

LAC:

Laccase;

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase;

PER:

Peroxidase;

UV:

Ultraviolet rays

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the Jiangsu Natural Science Foundation (BK20130027) and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

Authors’ contribution

ASX and GLW initiated and designed the research. GLW and FQ performed the experiments. GLW, ZSX, and FW analyzed the data. GLW wrote the paper. ASX and GLW revised the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China

    Guang-Long Wang, Feng Que, Zhi-Sheng Xu, Feng Wang & Ai-Sheng Xiong

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  1. Guang-Long Wang
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  2. Feng Que
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  3. Zhi-Sheng Xu
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Correspondence to Ai-Sheng Xiong.

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Wang, GL., Que, F., Xu, ZS. et al. Exogenous gibberellin enhances secondary xylem development and lignification in carrot taproot. Protoplasma 254, 839–848 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-016-0995-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-016-0995-6

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