Accumulation of proline analogues and adaptation of Melaleuca species to diverse environments in Australia
Date
2000
Authors
Naidu, B.
Paleg, L.
Jones, G.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Australian Journal of Botany, 2000; 48(5):611-620
Statement of Responsibility
Bodapati P. Naidu, Leslie G. Paleg and Graham P. Jones
Conference Name
DOI
Abstract
<jats:p>
The genus Melaleuca is native to Australia, with about
250 species spread from favourable to very stressful ecological habitats. We
analysed the leaves of 125 Melaleuca species for the
accumulation of proline analogues to explore relationships between the ability
of the species to accumulate proline analogues and their ability to adapt to
various stressful habitats in Australia. Melaleuca
species that have evolved the ability to accumulate only L-proline seem to be
adapted to non-saline or non-sodic soils in regions of higher rainfall.
Species that accumulate N-methyl-L-proline seem to be
adapted to saline and/or sodic soils with moderate amount of rainfall.
Species that accumulate
trans-4-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-proline
seem to be adapted to saline and/or sodic soils and occur in areas with
considerably lower rainfall, while species that accumulate
trans-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyl-L-proline
are widely distributed in Australia, with a particular adaptation to extremely
arid (deserts) and saline and/or sodic soils. The species accumulating
more than one osmoprotectant seem to have an ecophysiological advantage over
plants accumulating only one osmoprotectant.</jats:p>