Scion-rootstock interaction and drought systemic effect modulate the organ-specific terpene profiles in grafted Pinus pinaster Ait

Intraspecific grafting with selected scions and rootstocks was used to study drought tolerance in the recalcitrant Mediterranean conifer P. pinaster. Conifers store different terpene types needles, stems roots, which can be modified by drought, but most studies have focused on a single organ over terpenes limits understanding of overall plant response. In this work, profile (160 components among mono-, sesqui-, di-terpenes resin acids) as well eco-physiological traits were assessed scion rootstock analyze sensibility grafted pinaster trees. We two from wet (Galicia) dry (Oria) provenances onto showing differences efficiency water use, grown under regimes, well-watered stressed. Constitutively, organs showed clearly qualitative quantitative profiles, such long-term optimized resources allocation, being neutral acid diterpenes those more discriminant. Environmental factors may selectively affect regulation diterpene biosynthesis since determined variation their mainly regarding again diterpenes. Different scion-conferred phenotypes observed each organ, having relevant role isoabienol content. Drought triggered needle/root acids redistribution, provide higher protection correlated effective stress endured plants. sensitivity scion-rootstock combinations intensity drought-triggered changes levels all organs, suggesting that chemical defense are somehow interconnected.