Leaf Biochemical and Kernel Metabolite Profiles as Potential Biomarkers of Water Deficit in Walnut ( Juglans regia L.) cv. Chandler

Franco E. Calvo, Sonia T. Silvente and Eduardo R. Trentacoste ()
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Franco E. Calvo: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
Sonia T. Silvente: Instituto de Ambiente de Montaña y Regiones Áridas (IAMRA), Universidad Nacional de Chilecito (UNdeC), Chilecito 5360, Argentina
Eduardo R. Trentacoste: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Consulta, Mendoza 5567, Argentina

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-14

Abstract: Walnut cultivation is expanding into regions where water availability for irrigation is lower than crop evapotranspiration. However, information regarding the responses and adaptations of walnut trees to water deficit remains scarce. In this study, we applied three irrigation levels, 100%, 75%, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration (referred to as T100, T75, and T50, respectively), to Chandler walnut trees over two consecutive seasons. During the second season, we evaluated leaf water-deficit biomarkers, including proline, malondialdehyde, soluble sugars, phenols, and flavonoids, using targeted spectrophotometry. Despite not finding significant differences in biomarker concentrations among the irrigation regimes, we observed variations between different collection times (sprouting, endocarp hardening, and maturity). Furthermore, we assessed the kernel metabolome using untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, profiling seventy-one metabolites across all samples. Notably, forty-one of these metabolites were identified as members of distinct groups, comprising carbohydrates (n = 11), fatty acids (n = 11), organic acids (n = 9), and amino acids (n = 5). Linear mixed models showed no significant differences between the irrigation regimes. However, in the T50 treatment, multivariate analysis (PCA) revealed a higher concentration of osmotic adjustment metabolites, which are potentially associated with protecting oil biosynthesis under high-temperature and water deficit conditions.

Keywords: chandler; metabolomics; water stress; phenology; deficit irrigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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