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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #325589
Title: Seasonal variation in the secondary chemistry of foliar and reproductive tissue of Delphinium nuttallianum

Author
item Cook, Daniel
item SLOMINSKI, ANTHONY - Montana State University
item Gardner, Dale
item Pfister, James
item IRWIN, REBECCA - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/7/2016
Publication Date: 2/19/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62815
Citation: Cook, D., Slominski, A., Gardner, D.R., Pfister, J.A., Irwin, R.E. 2016. Seasonal variation in the secondary chemistry of foliar and reproductive tissue of Delphinium nuttallianum. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 65:93-99.

Interpretive Summary: Plant secondary compounds are critical in affecting interactions between plants and their herbivores. The norditerpene alkaloids are secondary compounds in Delphinium (larkspur) species which are divided into two classes: the N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine (MSAL-type) and non MSAL-type, and are known to be toxic to herbivorous insects and livestock. Alkaloid concentrations were measured in a whole plant context in vegetative and reproductive tissues in D. nuttallianum at different stages of plant maturity at two locations to explore how plant maturity affected alkaloid expression within a growing season. Alkaloid concentrations differed between vegetative and reproductive tissues, with vegetative tissues having significantly lower alkaloid concentrations than reproductive tissues. Based on the data we suggest that alkaloid allocation in different plant parts of D. nuttallianum is influenced by life history of the plant. At one location, as pods mature the qualitative alkaloid composition changed through structural diversification of the alkaloids present.

Technical Abstract: Plant secondary compounds are critical in affecting interactions between plants and their herbivores. The norditerpene alkaloids are secondary compounds in Delphinium (larkspur) species which are divided into two classes: the N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine (MSAL-type) and non MSAL-type, and are known to be toxic to herbivorous insects and livestock. Alkaloid concentrations were measured in a whole plant context in vegetative and reproductive tissues in D. nuttallianum at different stages of plant maturity at two locations to explore how plant maturity affected alkaloid expression within a growing season. Alkaloid concentrations differed between vegetative and reproductive tissues, with vegetative tissues having significantly lower alkaloid concentrations than reproductive tissues. However, no systematic differences in alkaloid concentrations were observed at different plant maturity stages across the growing season. Based on the data we suggest that alkaloid allocation in different plant parts of D. nuttallianum is influenced by life history of the plant, consistent with plant defense theory. At one location, as pods mature the qualitative alkaloid composition changed through structural diversification of the alkaloids present. The ecological significance of this structural diversification awaits further exploration.