Specific adaptation features of Hedysarum gmelinii Ledeb. (Fabaceae Lindl.) in the mountains of South Siberia
Abstract
E.V. Zhmud*, N.B. Williams, Y.S. Bukin and O.V. Dorogina
Pathogenesis-related protein inhibitors of trypsin (PR-6 proteins) are one of 16 factors of immunity in angiosperms. Their activity in the aboveground parts of plants ensures preservation of nonspecific systemic resistance to unfavorable biotic or abiotic environmental factors. Trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) has hardly been studied in leaves of wild representatives of Fabaceae Lindl. For the first time, studies of background values of TIA in the leaves of intact mature generative individuals of Hedysarum gmelinii Ledeb. in the mountains of Altai and Krasnoyarsk Territories, the Republics of Altai and Khakassia, in the range of absolute elevations of 300-2200 m were carried out. In most of the cenopopulations, high TIA values were detected (more than 25 mg/g of dry weight of ground leaves). Higher TIA were found in representatives of the species inhabiting more extreme northern part of the studied area and in the arid highlands of Southeast Altai. TIA in H. gmelinii leaves can increase during the years of unusual weather patterns (with sharp fluctuations in the environmental temperatures).