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Biological and physico-chemical processes influence cutin and suberin biomarker distribution in two Mediterranean forest soil profiles

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Abstract

Recent investigations have shown macromolecules, such as cutins, and suberins as effective markers for above and belowground plant tissues. These biopolyesters contain structural units specific for different litter components and for root biomass. The aim of this work was to understand the fate of plant organic matter (OM) in Mediterranean forest soils by evaluating the incorporation of cutin and suberin by measuring specific biomarkers. Soil and plant tissue (leaves, woods and roots) samples were collected in two mixed Mediterranean forests of Quercus ilex (holm oak) in costal stands in Tuscany (central Italy), which have different ecological and edaphic features. Ester-bound lipids of mineral and organic horizons and the overlying vegetation were analysed using the saponification method in order to depolymerise cutins and suberins and release their specific structural units. Cutin and suberin specific aliphatic monomers were identified and quantified by gas chromatographic techniques. The distribution of cutin and suberin specific monomers in plant tissue suggested that mid-chain hydroxy acids can be used as leaf-specific markers and α,ω-alkanedioic acids and ωC18:1 as root-specific markers. Differences in the distributions of biomarkers specific for above and belowground plant-derived OM was observed in the two types of soils, suggesting contrasted degradation, stabilisation and transport mechanisms that may be related to soil physico-chemical properties. The acidic and dry soil appeared to inhibit microbial activity, favouring stabilization of leaf-derived compounds, while, in the more fertile soil, protection within aggregates appeared to better preserve root-derived compounds.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by exchange grant received from the European Science Foundation (ESF) for the activity entitled “Natural molecular structures as drivers and tracers of terrestrial C fluxes” (MOLTER) EG/2960. The authors wish to thank Gérard Bardoux, Nicolas Pechot and Valérie Pouteau for their technical support and Mercedes Mendez-Millan for her support in the depolymerization method and in data interpretation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Di.P.S.A. Scienze delle Produzioni Vegetali, del Suolo e dell’Ambiente Agroforestale, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18, 50144, Firenze, Italy

    Anna Andreetta & Stefano Carnicelli

  2. INRA, Laboratory of Biogeochemistry and Ecology of Continental Ecosystems, UMR Bioemco, CNRS, UPMC, 78850, Thiverval-Grignon, France

    Marie-France Dignac

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  1. Anna Andreetta
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  2. Marie-France Dignac
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Correspondence to Anna Andreetta.

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Andreetta, A., Dignac, MF. & Carnicelli, S. Biological and physico-chemical processes influence cutin and suberin biomarker distribution in two Mediterranean forest soil profiles. Biogeochemistry 112, 41–58 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-011-9693-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-011-9693-9

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