Low iron availability and phenolic metabolism in a wild plant species (Parietaria judaica L.)

Plant phenolics encompass a wide range of aromatic compounds and functions mainly related to abiotic and biotic environmental responses. In calcareous soils, the presence of bicarbonate and a high pH cause a decrease in iron (Fe) bioavailability leading to crop yield losses both qualitatively and quantitatively. High increases in phenolics were reported in roots and root exudates as a consequence of decreased Fe bioavailability suggesting their role in chelation and reduction of inorganic Fe(III) contributing to the mobilization of Fe oxides in soil and plant apoplast. Shikimate pathway represents the main pathway to provide aromatic precursors for the synthesis of phenylpropanoids and constitutes a link between primary and secondary metabolism. Thus the increased level of phenolics suggests a metabolic shift of carbon skeletons from primary to secondary metabolism. Parietaria judaica, a spontaneous plant well adapted to calcareous environments, demonstrates a high metabolic flexibility in response to Fe starvation. Plants grown under low Fe availability conditions showed a strong accumulation of phenolics in roots as well as an improved secretion of root exudates. P. judaica exhibits enhanced enzymatic activities of the shikimate pathway. Furthermore, the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, through the transketolase activity supplies erythrose-4-phosphate, is strongly activated. These data may indicate a metabolic rearrangement modifying the allocation of carbon skeletons between primary and secondary metabolism and the activation of a nonoxidative way to overcome a mitochondrial impairment. We suggest that high content of phenolics in P. judaica play a crucial role in its adaptive strategy to cope with low Fe availability.