Soil-plant relationships, micronutrient contents, and cardenolide production in natural populations of Digitalis obscura

The production of secondary metabolites by plants growing in natural populations is conditioned by environmental factors. In the present study, we have investigated the relationships among soil properties, micronutrients in soils and plants, and cardenolide production from wild Digitalis obscura (Scrophulariaceae) populations. Young and mature leaves and soil samples were collected in ten different populations, corresponding to three Mediterranean bioclimatic belts (Thermo-, Meso-, and Supramediterranean belts). Soil (total and EDTA-extractable) and leaf micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu), and leaf cardenolide accumulation have been determined. Significant negative correlations were observed between Fe, Mn or Zn concentration in leaves and soil pH, as well as between Fe or Mn in leaves and carbonate content of soils. Only EDTA-extractable Mn was significantly correlated with Mn content in the plants. With regard to cardenolide content in leaves, this parameter was negatively correlated with Zn-leaf in young leaves and with Mn-leaf in old leaves. Positively correlated, however, were Fe and cardenolide content in young leaves. The influence of environmental conditions and leaf micronutrient contents on cardenolide accumulation is discussed.