Variations in the cell wall composition of maize brown midrib mutants

Most studies published thus far on the four brown midrib (bm) mutants (bm1, bm2, bm3, and bm4) in maize (Zea mays L.) have focused on one or two individual mutants, and comparisons between studies have been difficult because of variation in genetic backgrounds, maturity, and source of tissue. Detailed analyses of the stalks of the four bm single mutants and a bm1-bm2 double mutant in a common genetic background (inbred A619) revealed structural and compositional changes in their isolated cell walls and lignins compared to the wild-type inbred. 2D-NMR revealed a significant presence of benzodioxane units in the bm3 isolated lignin. 1D (13)C NMR revealed increased aldehyde levels in the bm1 and bm1-bm2 mutants compared to the wild-type inbred. The bm3 and bm1-bm2 mutants contained less Klason lignin in the isolated cell walls. The bm1, bm3, and bm1-bm2 mutants contained approximately 50% less esterified p-coumaric acid with noticeably elevated levels of ferulate in the bm3 mutant. A difference among bm mutants in the solubility of p-coumaric acid-lignin complexes during cellulase enzyme treatment was also discovered, suggesting that the bm mutations might also differ in the structural organization of lignin.     

Structural characterization of lignin from leaf sheaths of "dwarf cavendish" banana plant

Dioxane lignin (DL) isolated from leaf sheaths of banana plant (Musa acuminata Colla var. cavendish) and in situ lignin were submitted to a comprehensive structural characterization employing spectroscopic (UV, FTIR, solid state 13C CP-MAS NMR, liquid state 13C and 1H NMR) and chemical degradation techniques (permanganate and nitrobenzene oxidation). Results obtained showed that banana plant leaf sheath lignin is of HGS type with a molar proportion of p-hydroxyphenyl (H)/guaiacyl (G)/syringyl (S) units of 12:25:63. Most of the H units in DL are terminal phenolic coumarates linked to other lignin substructures by benzyl and Cgamma-ester bonds in contrast to ferulates that are mainly ether linked to bulk lignin. It is proposed that banana plant leaf sheath lignin is chemically bonded to suberin-like components of cell tissues by ester linkages via essentially hydroxycinnamic acid residues. beta-O-4 structures (0.31/C6), the most abundant in DL, comprise mainly S units, whereas a significant proportion of G units is bonded by beta-5, 5-5', and 4-O-5' linkages contributing to ca. 80% of condensed structures in DL.     

Positional difference in potassium concentration as diagnostic index relating to plant K status and yield level in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Plant tissue testing is used as a guide for rice (Oryza sativa L.) fertilization and has been extensively used in the diagnosis of potassium (K) deficiency. However, little attention has been paid to the variation in the diagnostic index of K status in different parts of the rice plant. Here, we assessed the feasibility by testing K concentrations of whole plants, leaf blades and leaf sheaths to develop a suitable diagnostic index of plant K status and yield level in rice under different K application rates. The results showed that this research could satisfy the requirements of K status diagnosis, based on the quadratic-plus-plateau relationship between K application rates and grain yield. The K concentrations of the leaf blades and leaf sheaths on the main stem showed differences based on position. Leaf blade K concentrations significantly decreased from the top of the plant to the bottom in the effective tillering and jointing stages. Conversely, K concentrations in the lower leaf blades exceeded those in the upper leaf blades in the booting and full heading stages. K concentrations in the leaf sheath were significantly reduced with declining leaf position except during the jointing stage under high K treatments. Leaf sheath/leaf blade K concentration ratios increased significantly more in lower tissues than in upper plant tissues. Correlation analysis showed that the K concentrations of all sampled plant tissues were positively correlated to plant K uptake and grain yield. However, K concentrations of the whole plant were more useful as a diagnostic index at the effective tillering stage than at other growth stages. Leaf sheaths in lower positions were preferable to upper leaf sheaths and all leaf blades for evaluating plant K status, although their K concentrations were greatly influenced by plant growth stage. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the ratio between the K concentrations of the first and fourth leaf blades (LBKR_1/4) was grouped into significantly exponential curves (P < 0.01) to describe the relationship between plant K uptake and relative grain yield. Thus, LBKR_1/4 could be an ideal indicator of rice plant K status and yield level, as it eliminated the effects of plant growth stage.     

野生型水稻及其低硅突变体中植硅体和植硅体碳的含量与分布特征

【目的】水稻是典型的富硅植物,植硅体沉积在水稻体内可封存有机碳。本文分析不同吸硅能力基因型水稻植硅体含量、形态、分布及其固碳特征,探究水稻植硅体固碳机理。【方法】盆栽试验在浙江大学玻璃房内进行。供试材料为水稻低硅突变体Lsi1和Lsi2及其野生型,所有施肥和管理措施一致。于成熟期,取水稻地上部茎、叶、鞘样品,常规方法测定硅、植硅体、植硅体碳含量。【结果】1)不同基因型水稻体内硅含量、植硅体含量、生物量干物质植硅体碳含量存在显著差异,均表现为突变体显著低于其野生型,大小依次为Lsi1野生型> Lsi2野生型> Lsi2突变体> Lsi1突变体,Lsi1和Lsi2突变体水稻植硅体碳含量显著高于其野生型,大小依次为Lsi1突变体> Lsi2突变体> Lsi2野生型> Lsi1野生型。2)野生型水稻硅与植硅体含量为鞘>叶>茎,而突变体水稻硅与植硅体含量为叶>鞘>茎,水稻叶片中的植硅体碳与生物量干物质植硅体碳含量最高,植硅体碳含量整体分布趋势为叶>茎>鞘,生物量干物质植硅体碳含量整体变化趋势为叶>鞘>茎。3)水稻植硅体含量与硅含量之间呈极显著正相关(P <0.01),高吸硅的水稻植硅体含量高,且形成的植硅体比表面积小,表明植硅体含量及其形态受其遗传特性的影响。植硅体含量与生物量干物质植硅体碳含量之间呈极显著正相关(P <0.01),植硅体碳含量与生物量干物质植硅体碳含量之间呈极显著负相关(P <0.01),表明生物量干物质植硅体碳含量除了受植硅体含量影响,还受植硅体所包裹的有机碳浓度影响。4) Lsi1及Lsi2野生型水稻生物量、植硅体储量、植硅体碳储量显著高于其突变体。【结论】具有高吸硅能力的野生型水稻与其突变体相比,生物量、硅、植硅体、生物量干物质植硅体碳含量增加,分布不同,虽然植硅体碳含量降低,但植硅体碳储量增加。Lsi1及Lsi2野生型水稻比低硅突变体水稻具有更高的固碳潜力。     

Diferulate content of maize sheaths is associated with resistance to the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The leaf sheaths of selected inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) with variable levels of stem resistance to the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefèvbre) were evaluated for antibiotic effect on insect development. Phytochemical analyses of leaf sheaths were conducted for cell wall phenylpropanoid content to gain a better understanding of maize-resistance mechanisms. Laboratory bioassays established that sheath tissues from different genotypes significantly affected the growth of neonate larvae. Three hydroxycinnamates, p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, and cis-ferulic acids, and three isomers of diferulic acid, 8-5', 8-O-4', and 8-5' b (benzofuran form), were identified. Significant negative correlations were found between larvae weight and diferulic acid content for six genotypes. These results are in agreement with previous studies concerning the role of cell wall structural components in stem borer resistance.     

Variation in cell wall composition among forage maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and its impact on digestibility: analysis of neutral detergent fiber composition by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Cell wall digestibility is an important determinant of forage quality, but the relationship between cell wall composition and digestibility is poorly understood. We analyzed the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) fraction of nine maize inbred lines and one brown midrib3 mutant with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Among 29 pyrolysis fragments that were quantified, two carbohydrate-derived and six lignin-derived fragments showed statistically significant genetic variation. The pyrolysis products 4-vinyl phenol and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-vinyl phenol were negatively correlated with digestibility, whereas furfural and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxopropanal showed a positive correlation with digestibility. Linear discriminant analysis of the pyrolysis data resulted in the resolution of groups of inbred lines with different digestibility properties based on their chemical composition. These analyses reveal that digestibility is governed by complex interactions between different cell wall compounds, but that several pyrolysis fragments can be used as markers to distinguish between maize lines with different digestibility.     

施氮水平对不同干旱程度夏玉米生长的影响

在田间小区遮雨条件下,采用有交互作用的双因素试验方法,设置了连续干旱0～32 d等7个水分处理及N 0、140、280 kg/hm2 等3个氮肥处理,研究施氮水平对不同干旱程度夏玉米生长的影响。结果表明,轻度干旱条件下,随着施氮量的增加,夏玉米的株高、叶长、叶宽、茎粗等形态指标,生物量和产量都增加;中度干旱时,适量施用氮肥,夏玉米的形态指标、生物量及产量均高于不施氮肥和大量施用氮肥;严重干旱时,随着施氮量的增加,夏玉米的形态指标、生物量和产量都呈逐渐下降趋势。本试验结果说明,施氮水平对不同干旱程度夏玉米生长有不同影响,应根据干旱程度选择合理的施氮量,以减小干旱带来的损失。     

Studies on photosynthetic electron transport,photophosphorylation and CO2 fixation in zinc deficient leaf cells of Zea mavs. L.

The effect of Zn deficiency on rate of photosynthesis of leaf discs, isolated mesophyll and bundle sheath cells and chloroplasts of maize (Zea mays. L) was studied. The yield of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells obtained by enzymic digestion of the leaf tissues from Zn deficient plants is lower than the identical tissues from normal plants which suggests that Zn deficiency brings about some structural changes in the leaf cell. Photosynthetic oxygen evolution measured in the leaf discs is low due to Zn deficiency. Photosystem‐II dependent Hill reaction and non cyclic photophosphorylation of chloroplasts were also affected by Zn deficiency. Rate of photosynthetic carbon dioxide fixation by both bundle sheath and mesophyll cells obtained from Zn deficient leaf‐tissue waslower than the cells free from Zn deficiency. Addition of various metabolites like NADPH, ATP and PEP to Zn deficient mesophyll cells whowed marked enhancement in 14‐CO₂ fixation. However, addition of NADPH, ATP and RuBP to Zn deficient bundle sheath cells showed no or very little enhancement in the rate of 14‐Cu₂ fixation. Addition of exogenous Zn ions to isolated cells inhibited the CO₂ fixation both in the non‐deficient and Zn deficient cell types. It is suggested that Zn deficie ‐ncy affects the primary electron transport and phospho‐rvlation ability for chloroplasts which in turn affects CO₂ fixation in leaf cells.     

Impact of plant cell wall network on biodegradation in soil: Role of lignin composition and phenolic acids in roots from 16 maize genotypes

Residue quality is a key factor governing biodegradation and the fate of C in soil. Most investigations of relationships existing between crop residue quality and soil decomposition have been based on determining the relative proportions of soluble, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin components. However, cell wall cohesion is increased by tight interconnections between polysaccharides and lignin that involve cross-linking agents (phenolic acids). The aim of this study was to determine the role of lignin composition and phenolic acids on short- to medium-term decomposition of maize roots in soil. Sixteen maize genotypes, presenting a range of chemical characteristics related to root lignin and phenolic acids, were used. The main components were characterized by Van Soest (VS) extraction and cell wall acid hydrolysis, and the non-condensed Syringyl and Guaicyl lignin monomers, esterified phenolic acids and etherified phenolic acids were determined. Maize roots were then incubated in soil under controlled conditions (15 °C, −80 kPa moisture) for 796 days. Results showed that VS extraction over-estimated the structural hemicellulose content and that VS lignin was more recalcitrant than Klason lignin. The tremendous effect of cell wall chemical characteristics was shown by marked variations (almost two-fold differences in C mineralization), between the 16 maize roots. Decomposition was controlled by soluble residue components in the short term whereas lignin and the interconnections between cell wall polymers were important in the long-term. Notably the cell wall domain rich in non-condensed lignin and esterified phenolic acids was prone to decomposition whereas the presence of etherified ferulic acids seemed to hamper cell wall decomposition.     

Cell wall composition in juvenile and adult leaves of maize (Zea mays L.)

Many leaf characteristics vary with position along the culm in maize (Zea mays L.) due to the existence of vegetative phase change and heteroblasty. The objective of this work was to determine if differences in cell wall composition exist among developmental phases and between Cg1, a developmental mutant, and wild-type maize. In one experiment, the middle third of fully elongated leaf blades from lower and upper regions of the shoot was harvested (midribs removed) and analyzed for several cell wall components. Averaged over five inbreds (De811, Ia5125, Mo17, P39, and Wh8584), lower leaf blades had higher levels of xylose and lower levels of total uronosyls, glucose, arabinose, and galactose (P < 0.05) than did upper leaf blades. With the exception of glucose, upper and lower leaves of Cg1 plants varied in the same manner as their near-isogenic siblings, except cell walls of Cg1 plants were more "juvenile" than cell walls of wild-type siblings at the same leaf stage. These data support the hypothesis that Cg1 delays but does not eliminate the transition from juvenile-vegetative to adult-vegetative phase. In a second experiment, juvenile (leaves 3 and 5), transition (leaf 7), and adult (leaves 9 and 11) leaves from inbreds B73 and De811 were harvested and analyzed as in the first experiment. As leaf number rose, total cell wall content of sample dry matter, total neutral sugars, glucose, xylose, and ester-linked monomers of p-coumaric acid and total ferulates including ferulate dimers increased linearly while total uronosyls acids, arabinose, and galactose declined linearly (P < 0.05). Glucose and xylose are major cell wall components released from cellulose and xylans after acid hydrolysis. Pectin, a minor component of grass cell walls, is composed of galacturonosyls, arabinose, and galactose. Secondary cell wall deposition increased between leaves 3 and 11 in a heteroblastic series, due to either increased cell wall content concomitant with decreased cell lumen size, changes in proportion of cell types (i.e., sclerenchyma), or a combination of these factors.     

Infrared imaging of sunflower and maize root anatomy

Synchrotron radiation infrared microspectroscopy (SR-IMS) permits the direct analysis of plant cell-wall architecture at the cellular level in situ, combining spatially localized information and chemical information from IR absorbances to produce a chemical map that can be linked to a particular morphology or functional group. This study demonstrated the use of SR-IMS to probe biopolymers, such as cellulose, lignin, and proteins, in the root tissue of hydroponically grown sunflower and maize plants. Principal components analysis (PCA) was employed to reveal the major spectral variance between maize and sunflower plant tissues. The use of PCA showed distinct separation of maize and sunflower samples using the IR spectra of the epidermis and xylem. The infrared band at 1635 cm(-1), representing hydrocinnamic acid in (H type) lignin, provided a conclusive means of distinguishing between maize and sunflower plant tissues.     

Low Level of Linkage Disequilibrium at the COMT (Caffeic Acid O-methyl Transferase) Locus in European Maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.)

During recent decades, the whole plant yield of European maize (Zea mays L.) has increased substantially. However, during the same period of time cell wall digestibility, and consequently fodder quality, has decreased. Alleles for digestible cell walls have thus been lost, either during breeding for stalk standability or by genetic drift during breeding for grain yield. The brown-midrib 3 mutant (bm3) in maize (Z. mays L.), controlled by the caffeic acid O-methyl transferase (COMT) locus, has a positive influence on maize fodder quality. In this study, 42 European maize lines were used to evaluate the nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern across 2.3 kb of this locus. In agreement with what has been found for other maize loci, we found high diversity values (π = 0.00834), rapid LD decay even in an elite line sample, and indication of selection as well as of recombination events for seven site combinations. The diversity values differed slightly between inbreds of the Flint and Dent pools and most haplotypes were specific for one of the two heterotic groups. The polymorphisms identified at this single locus enable the construction of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and indel markers for haplotype identification and a rough discrimination of inbreds into Flint and Dent heterotic groups. The results reported here document the degree of allelic diversity in breeding materials and allow for targeted search of novel alleles in genetic resources.     

不同土壤水分供应下锌对玉米叶片超微结构的影响

选择 土为供试土壤, 进行盆栽玉米试验, 设定0和5.0 mg·kg^-1两个锌处理, 按土壤饱和持水量的40%~45%和70%~75%在玉米的4叶1心期实施干旱和正常水分处理。生长50 d后, 测定不同土壤水分与锌供应状况下植株生物量和锌含量, 利用透射电子显微镜观察完全伸展新叶的超微结构变化, 以期揭示不同土壤水分供应下, 植物对施锌的响应机理。结果表明: 土壤水分供应充足条件下, 与不施锌相比, 施锌玉米地上部生物量和总干重分别增加78%和52%, 根系和地上部锌含量和锌吸收量增加较多; 而干旱条件下, 施锌对玉米生物量无显著影响。干旱条件下缺锌玉米叶片维管束鞘细胞中叶绿体结构基本保持完好, 淀粉粒和基质片层清晰可见, 但叶肉细胞中叶绿体膜受损, 基质片层结构出现皱缩, 基粒片层减少; 施锌玉米叶片维管束鞘细胞中叶绿体结构保持完好, 叶绿体周围的线粒体数目较多, 叶肉细胞中叶绿体中脂肪颗粒增多, 叶片维管束鞘细胞与叶肉细胞之间可见清晰的胞间连丝。土壤水分充足处理下, 缺锌叶片细胞膜出现皱缩, 维管束鞘细胞叶绿体淀粉粒增多, 片层结构受损, 严重时维管束鞘细胞中内溶物消失, 残存的叶绿体中仅有淀粉粒和少许片层; 叶肉细胞中叶绿体可见淀粉粒, 但片层结构少, 有些出现断裂、收缩。土壤水分充足条件下, 施锌玉米维管束鞘核叶肉细胞结构清晰, 叶绿体结构完整。结论认为: 锌对干旱胁迫下玉米叶片细胞结构的破坏有一定的缓解作用; 但土壤水分正常供应下, 缺锌导致细胞结构受损程度比干旱情况下更严重。     

Uptake and distribution of manganese applied to leaves of Vicia faba (cv. Herzfreya) and Zea mays (cv. Regent) plants

Uptake and transport of Mn applied to leaves was studied in maize (Zea mays cv. Regent) and horse bean (Vicia faba cv. Herzfreya), two important crops in Egypt. Under controlled conditions in a growth chamber, maize and horse bean plants were grown in solution culture without Mn. After 20 days, Mn was applied to one older leaf by submerging part of the leaf blade into 0.1 mM MnSO₄ or MnEDTA solution for 48 h. At harvest (24 h later), plants were divided into fractions and Mn concentrations and contents determined. Plants without Mn application served as control. Only 1% of the Mn supply was taken up. Most of it remained at the application zone. However, part of the Mn moved out of the leaf of application and was preferentially transported to the shoot apex. This was indicated by a up to 2 times higher Mn concentration of the youngest leaf. When Mn was applied as MnEDTA, Mn uptake was lower but translocation enhanced compared to MnSO₄. There were no consistent differences between the plant species although mobility of Mn seemed to be higher in maize. Although the amounts of Mn taken up and translocated were low, the results suggest that in these plant species, leaf-applied Mn may contribute to the Mn nutrition of new growth.     

Chemical composition and enzymatic degradability of xylem and nonxylem walls isolated from alfalfa internodes

During plant maturation, degradability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stems declines due to accumulation of highly lignified xylary tissue. Xylem and nonxylem tissues dissected from lower alfalfa internodes were analyzed for cell wall constituents and degradability. Cell walls comprised 740 mg g(-1) of xylem and 533 mg g(-1) of nonxylem tissues. Xylem tissues contributed about 60% of the cell wall mass in internodes. Xylem walls contained 28% lignin, 4% pectin, 29% hemicellulose, and 39% cellulose as compared to 15% lignin, 25% pectin, 30% hemicellulose, and 30% cellulose in nonxylem walls. Fungal enzymes hydrolyzed 22 and 73% of the structural carbohydrates in xylem and nonxylem walls, respectively. In both cell wall fractions, the release of xylose was 56-90% lower than that of other sugars, indicating that lignin preferentially restricted xylan degradation in secondary walls and xyloglucan degradation in primary walls. Elucidation of lignin-xylose interactions may reveal strategies for improving fiber degradability of alfalfa.     

水稻植株不同部位中三唑磷含量动态分布趋势的研究

为揭示三唑磷农药在水稻中的动态变化,研究了田间栽培条件下两个品种水稻（内2优6号和秀水09）不同组织部位中三唑磷分布和动态趋势。水稻抽穗前,经不同浓度三唑磷（2250、4500mL·hm-2）处理一次,分别于0、1、3、7、14、21、60d测定水稻叶片、叶鞘、茎秆和穗等部位中三唑磷含量。结果表明,水稻叶片、叶鞘中三唑磷含量动态分布趋势均为随时间延长而逐渐降低,施药后第21d,2种水稻品种叶片中三唑磷的降解率均大于95%;水稻茎秆、穗中三唑磷含量动态分布趋势均呈现单峰曲线变化,其含量随时间延长先增加后降低。水稻叶片、叶鞘、茎秆和穗中三唑磷出现最高浓度的时间存在显著性差异,分别为施药后第0、0、1～3和21d,进一步表明,水稻叶鞘中三唑磷含量动态分布与叶片中相应过程具有一致性,而茎秆和穗中三唑磷含量动态分布与其在叶片和叶鞘中相应过程具有显著的滞后性。结合实际生产,水稻抽穗前应严格控制三唑磷的施用量和施用次数。     

Chemical characterization of lignin and lipophilic fractions from leaf fibers of curaua (Ananas erectifolius)

The chemical composition of leaf fibers of curaua (Ananas erectifolius), an herbaceous plant native of Amazonia, was studied. Special attention was paid to the content and composition of lignin and lipophilic compounds. The analysis of lignin in the curaua fibers was performed in situ by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and showed a lignin composition with a p-hydroxyphenyl:guaiacyl:syringyl units (H:G:S) molar proportion of 30:29:41 (S/G molar ratio of 1.4). The presence of p-hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric and ferulic acids) in curaua fibers was revealed upon pyrolysis in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide. On the other hand, the main lipophilic compounds, analyzed by GC/MS, were series of long-chain n-fatty acids, n-fatty alcohols, alpha- and omega-hydroxyacids, monoglycerides, sterols, and waxes. Other compounds, such as omega-hydroxy monoesters and omega-hydroxy acylesters of glycerol, were also found in this fiber in high amounts.     

Ligno-aliphatic complexes in soils revealed by an isolation procedure: implication for lignin fate

For the last decades, the fate of lignins in soil was analyzed mainly with cupric oxide (CuO) oxidation, which is traditionally used to quantify soil lignin content and characterize its state of degradation. This method presents limitations due to incomplete depolymerization of the lignin structure. In this study, we used a physicochemical soil lignin isolation procedure, which permits recovery of a milled wall enzymatic lignin (MWEL) fraction. Elemental composition and chemical structure of MWEL isolated from plants and soil were characterized. Its incorporation rate into an agricultural loamy soil was studied using stable isotope analyses of MWEL isolated from soils after 0 to 9 years of maize cultivation after wheat. Comparison of MWEL isolated from maize tissues and soil provided information on evolution of the lignin structure once incorporated into soil. We observed aromatic–aliphatic complex formation, which could lead to its sequestration in soil evidenced by increasing MWEL content after 9 years of maize cultivation. The ¹³C natural abundance of isolated MWEL showed faster incorporation of MWEL (17.4 % of renewed lignins after 9 years) compared to total soil organic matter (9 % of total soil organic carbon (SOC) was renewed). This faster incorporation rate of MWEL compared to bulk soil organic matter is in agreement with lignin turnover observed by CuO oxidation. Radiocarbon dating of MWEL suggested a mean age of around 50 years. We conclude that lignin isolation allows (1) access to a different fraction compared to CuO oxidation and (2) a detailed characterization of lignin transformation in soil. We suggest that interaction with aliphatic compounds could be one possible pathway of lignin preservation in soil.     

Characterization of sphingolipids from sunflower seeds with altered fatty acid composition

Sphingolipids are a group of lipids that are derived from long-chain 1,3-dihydroxy-2-amino bases and that are involved in important processes in plants. Long-chain bases are usually found bound to long-chain fatty acids forming ceramides, the lipophilic moiety of the most common sphingolipid classes found in plant tissues: glucosyl-ceramides and glucosyl inositol phosphoryl-ceramides (GIPCs). The developing sunflower seed kernel is a tissue rich in sphingolipids, although, importantly, its glycerolipid composition can vary if some steps of the fatty acid synthesis are altered. Here, the sphingolipid composition of the seed from different sunflower mutants with altered fatty acid compositions was studied. The long-chain base composition and content were analyzed, and it was found to be similar in all of the mutants studied. The sphingolipid species were also determined by mass spectrometry, and some differences were found in highly saturated sunflower mutants, which contained higher levels of GIPC, ceramides, and hydroxyl-ceramides.