Photosynthetic carbohydrate metabolism in the resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum

• Published in: Journal of experimental botany Vol. 51; no. 343; pp. 159 - 165
• Main Authors: Norwood, M., Truesdale, M.R., Richter, A., Scott, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-02-2000; OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Carbohydrates; CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY; Craterostigma; Economic plant physiology; Enzymes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Leaves; Metabolism; Net assimilation, photosynthesis, carbon metabolism. Photorespiration, respiration, fermentation (anoxia, hypoxia); Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; octulose; Oligosaccharides; Photophase; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis, respiration. Anabolism, catabolism; Plant Physiological Phenomena; Plant physiology and development; Plant roots; Plants; Plants - metabolism; Resurrection; resurrection plants; Starches; Translocation; Sucrose; Desiccation; Metabolism; Water stress; Raffinose; Phloem; Drought resistance; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Scrophulariaceae; Carbohydrate; Spermatophyta; Biological accumulation
• ISSN: 0022-0957; 1460-2431
• DOI: 10.1093/jexbot/51.343.159

The resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum (Hochst) is able to survive almost complete tissue dehydration when water is withheld from it, and then can rehydrate rapidly on rewatering. This ability is believed to be the result of the accumulation of sucrose in aerial tissues as a result of metabolism of 2‐octulose. In this work the metabolic activity of well‐watered Craterostigma plantagineum plants has been investigated. It is shown that Craterostigma makes raffinose series oligosaccharides as a product of photosynthesis and translocates them in the phloem. Evidence is also provided that 2‐octulose is a product of photosynthesis and accumulates in the leaves over the light period and is mobilized at night. Thus 2‐octulose acts as a temporary storage carbohydrate in leaves during photosynthesis in a similar fashion to starch in most C3 plants. Other potential roles of 2‐octulose are discussed. Other than these observations Craterostigma plants are very similar to other C3 plants under these conditions.