Drought effects on volatile organic compound emissions from Scots pine stems. (21st November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rissanen, Kaisa; Aalto, Juho; Gessler, Arthur; Hölttä, Teemu; Rigling, Andreas; Schaub, Marcus; Bäck, Jaana
• Is Part Of: Plant, cell and environment. Volume 45:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2021-11-21
• Subjects: acetaldehyde -- acetone -- methanol -- monoterpene -- stem VOCs -- volatile organic compounds; Plant physiology -- Periodicals; Plant cells and tissues -- Periodicals; Plant communities -- Periodicals; 581.105
• DOI: 10.1111/pce.14219
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-7791

Abstract

Abstract: Tree stems have been identified as sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that play important roles in tree defence and atmospheric chemistry. Yet, we lack understanding on the magnitude and environmental drivers of stem VOC emissions in various forest ecosystems. Due to the increasing importance of extreme drought, we studied drought effects on the VOC emissions from mature Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) stems. We measured monoterpenes, acetone, acetaldehyde and methanol emissions with custom‐made stem chambers, online PTR‐MS and adsorbent sampling in a drought‐prone forest over the hot‐dry summer of 2018 and compared the emission rates and dynamics between trees in naturally dry conditions and under long‐term irrigation (drought release). The pine stems were significant monoterpene sources. The stem monoterpene emissions potentially originated from resin, based on their similar monoterpene spectra. The emission dynamics of all VOCs followed temperature at a daily scale, but monoterpene and acetaldehyde emission rates decreased nonlinearly with drought over the summer. Despite the dry conditions, large peaks of monoterpene, acetaldehyde and acetone emissions occurred in late summer potentially due to abiotic or biotic stressors. Our results highlight the potential importance of stem emissions in the ecosystem VOC budget, encouraging further studies in diverse environments. Abstract : Scots pine stems in dry environment were considerable monoterpene sources. The emission rates of monoterpenes, acetone, acetaldehyde from mature Scots pine stems decreased with reduced water availability in both dry and irrigated treatments, but methanol emission rates seemed unaffected.