Differential olive grove management regulates the levels of primary metabolites in xylem sap

The conventional management adopted in many Mediterranean olive orchards makes them more vulnerable to climate change and attacks by pathogens, due the decreased chemical plant defenses. In this scenario, a metabolomic analysis was carried out on xylem sap (Xsap) of plants (Olea europaea L.) grown Salento peninsula (Italy). Trials were two groves, one organically conventionally managed (controls), successively both converted sustainable (i.e. frequent light pruning, soil foliar fertilization, cover crops). Xsap extracted from shoots using Scholander pressure chamber pressurized with N2 gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolite profiling performed Xsap. An untargeted chromatography mass (GC-MS) based primary metabolites (including underivatized volatiles) revealed relative abundances 153 identified 336 unknown features across 12 samples four groups samples. Among them, than half involved metabolism. Many compounds increased levels under (such as amino acids, soluble sugars, sugar alcohols) have well-known role osmoprotectants or are defense, growth development during stress recovery stages. Sustainable groves can increase ability overcome environmental stressors enhance ecosystem balance.