Compound-specific responses of phenolic metabolites in the bark of drought-stressed Salix daphnoides and Salix purpurea

The bark of willows (Salix spp.) is rich in bioactive phenolic compounds from different compound classes and is therefore used as an herbal remedy. The accumulation of these secondary plant metabolites is influenced by environmental factors, including the availability of water. To analyze the influence of drought stress on the profile of phenolic metabolites in willow bark, a pot experiment with Salix daphnoides Vill. and Salix purpurea L. was conducted. Plants were subjected to three irrigation treatments for four and ten weeks: 65-75% field capacity (well-watered), 33-38% field capacity (moderate drought), and 17-22% field capacity (severe drought). Shoot biomass and proline content were assessed as drought-sensitive traits. Contents of phenolic compounds were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Drought stress reduced shoot biomass and led to an increase of the bark proline content. The particular effects on phenolics depended on the individual compound, Salix species and drought stress duration. Whereas salicylates were not affected, some flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives, as well as salireposide indicated treatment effects. The effects comprised decreasing as well as increasing contents. However, beyond the impact of drought stress, the observed responses are assumed to be superimposed by seasonal changes in the content of phenolics. Regarding the yield of willow shoots, the impairment of growth under water shortage seems to be more decisive than drought-induced changes of the bark metabolite content.

Keywords: Drought stress; Flavonoids; Phenolic acid derivatives; Proline; Salicylates; Secondary plant metabolites; Willow bark.