Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

Understanding global change effects on VOC emission in Populus from eco-physiological to molecular level

Objective

Global changes including increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) and tropospheric ozone (O3) affect the growth and the behaviour of plants. From preliminary studies Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission from plants seems to be influenced by these pollutants although the mechanisms of response are mostly still unknown. Even the function of VOC is not fully known in plants.

Isoprene is the most abundant VOC emitted by plants and the most prolific emitter trees are Quercus and Populus species. The role of isoprene in the chemistry of atmosphere is crucial because its oxidation leads to many toxic compounds and, in the presence of NOx, to O3 formation. Therefore the project is designed to improve our understanding of global change effects on isoprene emission from Populus at physiological level and subsequently at molecular and biochemical levels, correlating field measurements with transcript levels of isoprene synthase (the enzyme which leads to isoprene formation) and with the measured amounts of the enzyme.

Analysing the responses of two Populus clones that differ in their sensitivity to ozone and correlating the interaction between isoprene and NO content (the responsible of the signalling mechanisms at the basis of cellular death under oxidative stress such as ozone) the project is designed to test the hypothesized role of isoprene in protecting against ozone damage.

Call for proposal

FP6-2002-MOBILITY-6
See other projects for this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF TUSCIA
EU contribution
No data
Address
Via S. Maria in Gradi 4
VITERBO
Italy

See on map

Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (1)