Tissue Metabolic Responses to Artificial Bending and Gravitation Stimuli in Betula platyphylla

Betula platyphylla Suk (Asian white birch) is an economically important tree species in the paper-pulping and biofuel industries. To investigate mechanism of wood formation at metabolic level, we evaluated responses associated with tension-wood formation. Four-year-old trees were subjected to artificial bending treatment for 6 weeks. The xylem growth rate tension (TW) was significantly faster than that opposite (OW), it exhibited a higher cellulose content. Metabolomics analysis performed on metabolites TW, OW normal (NW), 183 identified, which levels 142 altered between groups. Metabolites related fatty-acid amino-acid metabolism, glycolytic pathway, metabolism fructose, mannose starch sucrose abundant TW. Glucose 1-phosphoric acid, fructose development elevated. Levels xylitol ribosol (related conversion glucose), coniferol (the main monomer lignin) shikimic acid (an intermediate lignin synthesis) decreased These are likely involved development.