Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of freeze-thaw cycles and leaching on the loss of soluble carbohydrates from leaf material of two subantarctic plants

  • Published:
Polar Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Leaves and litter of two phanerogams (Acaena magellanica (Lam.) Vahl and Poa flabellata (Lam.) Hook. f.) were collected in spring on the subantarctic island of South Georgia. Leaves immersed in water lost up to 80% of their total available soluble carbohydrates after 6–8 h. The loss of K+ and PO 3-4 followed a similar pattern to that shown by the carbohydrates. Up to 9 daily freeze/thaw cycles gave no increase in metabolite loss for senescent leaves. GLC analysis showed sucrose to be the principal leachate from Acaena. Sucrose, glucose and fructose were the main leachates from Poa. A significant proportion of the soluble carbohydrates in standing dead leaves was trehalose. The relationship of such leachates to microbial decomposition is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bunnell FL, Maclean SF, Brown J (1975) Barrow, Alaska, USA. In: Rosswall T, Heal OW (eds) Structure and function of Tundra ecosystems. Ecol Bull (Stockholm), vol 20, pp 73–124

  • Carter BT, Lindstrom O (1979) Membrane lipid response to temperature fluctuations could be the source of conductivity increases interpreted as freezing injury. Plant Physiol Lancaster 63:76

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng BT, Bourget SJ, Oulette GJ (1971) Influence of alternate freezing and thawing on the availability of some soil minerals. Can J Soil Sci 51:323–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Gascoigne JA, Gascoigne MM (1960) The xylanases of Fusarium roseum. J Gen Microbiol 21:242–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn TC (1976) The autecology of Poa flabellata (Lam.) Hook. f. PhD Thesis, University of Manchester, 166 pp (unpublished)

  • Harley JL, Waid JS (1955) A method of studying mycelia on the rhizoplane. Trans Br Mycol Soc 55:104–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Holligan PM, Drew EA (1971) Routine analysis by gas-liquid chromatography of soluble carbohydrates in extracts of plant tissue. New Phytol 70:271–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson HJ (1980) Fungal saprophytism. Edward Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst JL (1982) Biology of fungi on plants in the sub-Antarctic. PhD Thesis, University of Aston in Birmingham, 236 pp (unpublished)

  • Hurst JL, Pugh GJF (1982) Fungi on plants and plant litter in South Georgia. In: Jouventin MP, Masse L, Trehen P (eds) Colloque sur les écosystemes subantarctique. CNFRA (Com Nat Fr Rech Antarct) 51:249–255

  • Hurst JL, Pugh GJF, Walton DWH (1983) Fungal succession and substrate utilization on the leaves of three South Georgia phanerogams. Bull Br Antarct Surv 58:89–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst JL, Pugh GJF, Walton DWH (1984) Candida saké on the leaves of a Subantarctic grass. Microbiol Ecol 10:89–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan JV, Tukey HB (1964) Characterization of leachate from plant foliage. Plant Physiol (Lancaster) 39:590–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon EW (1974) Phospholipids and plasma membrane permeability. New Phytol 73:377–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith MJ (1983) Microbial ecology of subantarctic Tundra soils. PhD Thesis, University of Surrey, 256 pp (unpublished)

  • Smith RIL, Walton DWH (1975) South Georgia, sub-Antarctic. In: Rosswall T, Heal OW (eds) Structure and function of Tundra ecosystems. Ecol Bull (Stockholm), vol 20, pp 399–423

  • Tukey HB (1966) Leaching of substances from plants. In: Preece TF, Dickinson CH (eds) Ecology of leaf surface microorganisms. Academic Press, London, pp 67–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Tukey HB (1971) Leaching of metabolites from above ground plant parts and its implications. Bull Torrey Bot Club 93:385–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton DWH (1977) Studies on Acaena (Rosaceae). 2. Leaf production and senescence. Bull Br Antarct Surv 45:93–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton DWH (1979) Studies on Acaena (Rosaceae). 4. Distribution and ecology of the sub-Antarctic species. Bull Br Antarct Surv 49:59–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Wynn-Williams DD (1980) Seasonal fluctuations in microbial activity in Antarctic moss peat. Biol J Linn Soc 14:11–28

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK

    J. L. Hurst

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Portsmouth Polytechnic, Museum Road, P01 2QQ, Portsmouth, UK

    G. J. F. Pugh

  3. Natural Environment Research Council, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB3 0ET, Cambridge, UK

    D. W. H. Walton

Authors
  1. J. L. Hurst
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. J. F. Pugh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. W. H. Walton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hurst, J.L., Pugh, G.J.F. & Walton, D.W.H. The effects of freeze-thaw cycles and leaching on the loss of soluble carbohydrates from leaf material of two subantarctic plants. Polar Biol 4, 27–31 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286814

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286814

Keywords

Search

Navigation