A1 Journal article (refereed)
New insight to the role of microbes in the methane exchange in trees : evidence from metagenomic sequencing (2021)

Putkinen, A., Siljanen, H. M., Laihonen, A., Paasisalo, I., Porkka, K., Tiirola, M., Haikarainen, I., Tenhovirta, S., & Pihlatie, M. (2021). New insight to the role of microbes in the methane exchange in trees : evidence from metagenomic sequencing. New Phytologist, 231(2), 524-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17365

JYU authors or editors

Laihonen, Antti
Tiirola, Marja

Publication details

All authors or editors: Putkinen, Anuliina; Siljanen, Henri M.P.; Laihonen, Antti; Paasisalo, Inga; Porkka, Kaija; Tiirola, Marja; Haikarainen, Iikka; Tenhovirta, Salla; Pihlatie, Mari

Journal or series: New Phytologist

ISSN: 0028-646X

eISSN: 1469-8137

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 29/03/2021

Volume: 231

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 524-536

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17365

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77084

Abstract

Methane (CH4) exchange in tree stems and canopies and the processes involved are among the least understood components of the global CH4 cycle. Recent studies have focused on quantifying tree stems as sources of CH4 and understanding abiotic CH4 emissions in plant canopies, with the role of microbial in situ CH4 formation receiving less attention. Moreover, despite initial reports revealing CH4 consumption, studies have not adequately evaluated the potential of microbial CH4 oxidation within trees. In this paper, we discuss the current level of understanding on these processes. Further, we demonstrate the potential of novel metagenomic tools in revealing the involvement of microbes in the CH4 exchange of plants, and particularly in boreal trees. We detected CH4 producing methanogens and novel monooxygenases, potentially involved in CH4 consumption, in coniferous plants. In addition, our field flux measurements from Norway spruce (Picea abies) canopies demonstrate both net CH4 emissions and uptake, giving further evidence that both production and consumption are relevant to the net CH4 exchange. Our findings, together with the emerging diversity of novel CH4 producing microbial groups, strongly suggest microbial analyses should be integrated in the studies aiming to reveal the processes and drivers behind plant CH4 exchange.

Keywords: forests; boreal zone; biogeochemical cycles; methane; trees; plant physiology; microbiome; archaebacteria; bacteria; genomics