title: Characterization of oil and starch accumulation in tubers of Cyperus esculentus var. sativus (Cyperaceae): A novel model system to study oil reserves in nonseed tissues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Storage oil (triacylglycerol) accumulates in tissues such as the embryo and endosperm of seeds and the fruit mesocarp, but seldom in underground organs. As a rare exception, cultivated variants of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) contain high amounts of both oil and starch in the mature tubers. •
  
  
  METHODS
  Biochemical analyses and light and electron microscopy were used to study the accumulation patterns of storage nutrients in developing nutsedge tubers. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the initial phase of tuber development, the conducting rhizome tissue is transformed into a storage compartment, then massive storage reserves accumulate in the tuber. At the beginning of tuber development, a large sugar load coincided with the onset of starch accumulation. Oil accumulation started later, concomitant with a substantial drop in the sugar content. Initially, oil accumulated at a lower rate compared to starch, but the rate later increased; after 6 wk, oil made up 24% of tuber dry mass, while starch made up 32%. Protein concentration changed only a small amount throughout this development. Oil and starch accumulated in the same cells throughout the tubers in a sequential fashion during tuber development. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The developmental pattern in the build up of storage nutrients in the tubers highlights nutsedge as a novel model plant, having potential to significantly widen our understanding on how synthesis of storage reserves, and in particular oils, is regulated and directed in nonseed tissues such as tubers and roots.
authors: Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 101, SE - 23053 Alnarp, Sweden.
authors: Helle
authors: H
authors: Turesson
authors: Salla
authors: S
authors: Marttila
authors: Karl-Erik
authors: KE
authors: Gustavsson
authors: Per
authors: P
authors: Hofvander
authors: Marie E
authors: ME
authors: Olsson
authors: Leif
authors: L
authors: Bülow
authors: Sten
authors: S
authors: Stymne
authors: Anders S
authors: AS
authors: Carlsson