Yan et al BMC Plant Bclogy (2020) 20:389, speido.erg/ 0.1105) 2870.020-02605 BMC Plant Biology Giese e ak as enue Roles of metabolic regulation in developing ® Quercus variabilis acorns at contrasting = geologically-derived phosphorus sites in subtropical China jongmei Du, Shan Yin'*5, Hongzhang Kang'**9, Muhammad Umair! and Jun Yuan', Ningxiao Sun! Chunjiang Liu'34*"@ Abstract Background: Phosphorus () ich soils develop in phosphorite residing areas while P-deficient sols are ubiquitous in subtropical regions. Little has been reported that haw metabolites participete in the seed development and the processes invalved in their coping with contrasting-nutrient environments. Results: Here we quantified the metabolites of Quercus variabils acoms in the early (July), middle (August), late (September) development stages, and determined element (C, H, 0, NP, K Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Al, Mn, Na, Zn, and Cu) concentrations of acoms in the late stage, at geolagically-derived contrasting? sites in subtropical China. The primary metabolic pathways included sugar metabolism, the TCA cycle, and amino acid metabolism. Most metabolites (especially C- and N-containing metabolites) increased and then decreased fiom July to September. Acoms between the two sites were significantly discriminated at the three stages, respectively, by metabolites (predominantly sugars and organic acids). Concentrations of P, orthophosphoric acid and most sugars were higher, enythrose was lower In late-stage acoms at P-rich sites than those at P- deficient sites. No significant differences existed in the size and dry mass of individual acorns between oak populations at the two sites. Conclusions: Oak acoms at the two sites formed distinct metabolic phenotypes related to their distinct geologicaly-derived stil conditions, and the late-stage acorns tended to increase Puse-effciency in the material synthesis process at P-deficient sites, relative to those at P-rich sites, Keywords: Quercus vorabils, Phospharite arees, Metabolome, Acoin development, Subtropical soils * Canespandence ci Schoo ef Agriculture and ology, ShanghaJiao Tong Univesity, (Dengchuan Ri 800, sharahal 200240 Gira “shorohaiUrton Forest zoster Reseach Savon, National Fret ae cass Admination 8a Dengan RO, Shanaha China Ful lstof author rfenmaten avaltle athe end ofthe artle B MC ©The Asher 280 Open Aces Ti ates lored uct 3 Gest Correns sits 4 erate Lense wich pms dung scaton dbtan il eroaton ny rum ofr bres you gre Epeplie cdo th tga abot ae he ouce onde Inka the Crs Corwroslicarce one nce f ‘lange ne de Te tae reer el ety rte aa ae eee ae Cones lec are yc intended seis not permed by siautary regltion ot exceeds he pried use, you wil nee to aban emlsen dete he coin nade To ves cane is tee, vt MtsJoaa econane va eaeaW/ Te ete Coron te Boman Dedeaen aims ite ct¥aconennsoxpestoneve/ pps a he ‘hte race oiale nthe ele ries ater smedn aed Ine othe it