Effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and nitrate fertilization on glucosinolate biosynthesis in mechanically damaged Arabidopsis plants

BACKGROUND: Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO(2)) levels predicted to occur before the end of the century will impact plant metabolism. In addition, nitrate availability will affect metabolism and levels of nitrogen-containing defense compounds, such as glucosinolates (GSLs). We compared Arabidopsis foliar metabolic profile in plants grown under two CO(2) regimes (440 vs 880 ppm), nitrate fertilization (1 mM vs 10 mM) and in response to mechanical damage of rosette leaves. RESULTS: Constitutive foliar metabolites in nitrate-limited plants show distinct global patterns depending on atmospheric CO(2) levels; in contrast, plants grown under higher nitrate fertilization under elevated atmospheric CO(2) conditions have a unique metabolite signature. Nitrate fertilization dampens the jasmonate burst in response to wounding in plants grown at elevated CO(2) levels. Leaf GSL profile mirrors the jasmonate burst; in particular, indole GSLs increase in response to damage in plants grown at ambient CO(2) but only in nitrate-limited plants grown under elevated CO(2) conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This may reflect a reduced capacity of C3 plants grown under enriched CO(2) and nitrate levels to signal changes in oxidative stress and has implications for future agricultural management practices. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-016-0752-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.