The 2011 ASHS Annual Conference

Intensively-bred crops and many plants bred for horticultural markets are highly sensitive and vulnerable to environmental changes i.e., abiotic stressors (chilling, heat, salt, UV), incurring large economic losses. We have identified in Arabidopsis a stress-induced pathway that regulates the synthesis of phenylalanine, and production of specific phenylpropanoids where at particular developmental stages can increase sequestration of antioxidants to the leaves and increase yield. The corresponding system of phenylalanine production early in development appears to exist in a number of crops investigated to date. In leaf tests from 8 different annual crops, responses to typical stressors (chilling, heat salt, UV) and predation were specifically reduced by as much as 20% (Glycine), with subsequent yield increases in all but Medicago, where yield was unchanged from untreated. Different phenylpropanoid treatments may impart a different taste or texture as there are differences in feeding by Japanese beetles and other pests. While this system is well investigated in annuals, the effects on perennial crops of importance are unstudied. Formulations of phenylalanine and quercetin by foliar application and root applications at different growth/developmental stages were tested on strawberry (Fragaria) to assess the metabolite profiles in plants. Multiple formulations of particular molecules were tested to examine the potential utility of this strategy to maximize benefits to reducing predation, maximizing use of products from strawberry: leaves for nutraceutical industry and maximizing yield/quality of fruit, and for consideration in future breeding programs.