Seasonal Dynamics of the Accumulation, Distribution and Redistribution of Dry Matter and Mineral Nutrients in a Weedy Species of Gladiolus (Gladiolus caryophyllaceus)

The seasonal dynamics of the accumulation, distribution andredistribution of dry matter and 12 mineral nutrients by a weedyspecies of gladiolus (Gladiolus caryophyllaceus) were studiedat Perth, Western Australia, where it has colonized the nutrient-poorsandy soils. Parent corms sprouted in autumn, and the plantshad completed their growth cycle by early summer. The maturereplacement corm had 15-25% of the plant's P, Ca, Na, Zn andCu, 5-15% of its K, N, Cl, Mg, S and dry matter, and < 5%of its Fe and Mn. Seeds had 26% of the plant's dry matter, 60%of its N and P, 21-33% of its S, Mg, Cu and K, 5-20% of itsFe, Mn and Zn, and < 5% of its Ca and Na. The mature vegetativeshoot had 47% of the plant's dry matter and over 40% of eachnutrient, except for N, P and Cu. Phosphorus, K and N were redistributedfrom the parent corm with over 85% efficiency, S, Mg, Zn andCu with 60-70% efficiency, but there was < 10% redistributionof Ca, Na, Cl, Fe and Mn. The efficiency of redistribution fromthe leafy shoot was over 70% for N and P, 29-52% for K, Mg andCu, 16-20% for S, Zn and Cl, but negligible for Ca, Na, Fe andMn. Redistribution from the shoot could have provided the replacementcorm and seeds with 53-98% of their Cu, Mg, N, P and K, and29-38% of their S, Zn and dry matter. Seeds contained over 60%of each nutrient in a capsule, except for Ca, Na and Fe. Redistributionfrom the capsule walls could have provided 13-19% of the P,Cu and Zn, and 3-7% of the N, K, Mg and dry matter accumulatedby seeds. Each plant produced an average of 520 seeds. Removalof flowers and buds at first anthesis resulted in a larger replacementcorm containing a greater quantity of most nutrients, indicatingcompetition between the replacement corm and seeds for nutrients.Redistribution from parent to replacement cormlets in the absenceof shoot and root development was high, with over 50% of thedry matter and each nutrient, except for Ca, being transferred.Concentration of nutrients were low in all organs of G. caryophyllaceus,especially the replacement corm. It was concluded that the effectiveredistribution of key nutrients, such as N and P, to reproductivestructures and tolerance of low internal concentrations of nutrientscontribute to the capacity of G. caryophyllaceus to colonizeand persist on infertile soils.Copyright 1993, 1999 AcademicPress Gladiolus caryophyllaceus, corm, distribution, dry matter, gladiolus, mineral nutrients, nutrient accumulation, nutrient redistribution, seasonal growth, weed     

Accumulation, Partitioning and Redistribution of Dry Matter and Mineral Nutrients in Ixia flexuosa L., with Special Reference to its Cormaceous Habit

The seasonal dynamics of uptake, partitioning and redistributionof dry matter, N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cuby the cormaceous plant Ixia flexuosa were studied in pot cultureat Perth, Western Australia. Dry matter and P, N, K, Zn andCu were redistributed from the mother corm with about 90 percent net efficiency: there was no net redistribution of Ca,Na, Fe or Mn. The efficiency of redistribution from the leafyshoot to fruits and the new season's corm was 80 per cent forN and P, 24–49 per cent for K, Cu and Zn, and 0–15per cent for Na, Fe, Ca, Mn, Cl, Mg, S and dry matter. Redistributionfrom the mother corm and vegetative organs could have suppliedthe replacement corm, cormlets and fruits with 32–53 percent of their S, K, P, N, Cu and Zn, and 11–25 per centof their Ca, Cl, Mn, Mg and dry matter. The mature replacementcorm had over 60 per cent of the plant's N and P, 25–50per cent of its dry matter, Zn, Cu, Mg, K and Cl, but less than20 per cent of its Ca, Na, Fe and Mn. Each plant produced anaverage of 12 cormlets; these had 35 per cent of the dry matterand 23–47 per cent of the amount of a particular nutrientin the new season's corms. Fruits had less than 16 per centof the dry matter and each mineral in the mature plant. Ratesof mineral intake by Ixia were much lower than reported forcrop plants, and may be related to the long growing season ofthe species. Ixia polystachya L., corm, nutrition, mineral nutrients, nutrient redistribution     

MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN AN AUTOPARASITIC PHORADENDRON CALIFORNICUM GROWING ON A PARASITIC P. CALIFORNICUM AND ITS HOST,CERCIDIUM FLORIDUM

Tissue concentrations of 12 mineral elements (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, amino-N, Na, P, Si, and Zn) were measured in an autoparasitic mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum), the parasitic mistletoe on which it was growing (Phoradendron californicum), and the host tree (Cercidium floridum). Mineral concentrations in the autoparasite were typically 1.1–1.3 times higher than in the parasite. Mineral concentrations of all elements except Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Si were higher in the parasitic mistletoe than its host. Mineral concentration differences are discussed relative to accumulation via the transpiration stream and translocation within the host via the phloem.     

Growth, Resource Allocation and Haustorial Biology of the Root Hemiparasite Olax phyllanthi (Olacaceae)

Olax phyllanthi was found to parasitize a wide range of taxain the native habitat in coastal heath, South-West Australia.All major life and growth forms were regularly exploited, includingmost woody dicotyledons (except members of the Myrtaceae), afew monocotyledons and cohabiting root hemiparasites. Initiationof haustoria occurred mostly in autumn (southern hemisphere),with some senescing the following summer, and others survivinguntil replaced by a new generation of haustoria the followingautumn. Seedlings increased in dry matter and contents of N,P, K, Mg and Ca during preparasitic development, but did notsurvive beyond 6 months if failing to establish haustoria ona suitable host. Plant dry matter, mineral content and haustorialnumber increased exponentially during subsequent parasitic development.Mean shoot:root d. wt ratios of 1st to 3rd-year plants lay withinthe range 1.2–1.4. Root systems were laterally extensiveand restricted to the top 40 cm of rooting substrate. Mean totalroot lengths of 2nd- and 3rd-year plants were 7.1m (n = 5) and60.9 m (n = 5), respectively. Haustoria comprised 0.7–3.5%of plant d. wt, with a mean of 7.9 haustoria (n = 10, 2nd- and3rd-year plants) per metre of root length. Comparisons of mineralconcentrations in dry matter of O. phyllanthi and of a rangeof commonly parasitized hosts showed the parasite to be muchricher on average than its hosts in K, P, and to a lesser extentin N, but not noticeably different in Mg and Ca. Olax, root hemiparasite, mineral nutrition, haustoria, resource allocation     

Redistribution of Nutrient Elements from Cotyledons of Two Species of Annual Legumes During Germination and Seedling Growth

The distribution of dry matter and various mineral nutrientsbetween testa and embryo of seeds of Lupinus albus and L. angustifoliusis described It was found that lupin seeds at either end ofa pod contained less dry matter and minerals than seeds in themiddle of the fruit. The transport of dry matter, N, P, K, S,Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu from cotyledons of parent seedsof both species to the seedling axis was measured from germinationto the time of cotyledon death. N, P, K and S were retrievedfrom cotyledons with over 90 per cent efficiency, dry matter,Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn and with 59–90 per cent efficiency,and Ca with 26–31 per cent efficiency. There was littlechange in the efficiency of nutrient retrieval from cotyledonswhen seedlings were grown in different culture media. Both speciesshowed a linear relationship between the loss of each elementand dry matter throughout the experiment, and a similar proportioningbetween root and shoot of the amount of a specific nutrientmobilized from cotyledons of parent seeds. Lupinus albus L., Lupinus angustifolius L., lupin, transport, of dry matter and mineral nutrients     

Mobilization of Minerals to Developing Seeds of Legumes

The mineral nutrition of fruiting plants of Pisum sativum L.,Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus angustifolius L. is examined insand cultures supplying adequate and balanced amounts of essentialnutrients. Changes in content of specific minerals in leaves,pods, seed coat, and embryo are described. P, N and Zn tendto increase precociously in an organ relative to dry matteraccumulation, other elements more or less parallel with (K,Mn, Cu, Mg and Fe) or significantly behind (Ca and Na) dry weightincrease. Some 60–90 per cent of the N, P and K is lostfrom the leaf, pod and seed coat during senescence, versus 20–60per cent of the Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu and less than 20 per centof the Na and Ca. Mobilization returns from pods are estimatedto provide 4–39 per cent of the seeds' accumulations ofspecific minerals, compared with 4–27 per cent for testatransfer to the embryo. Endosperm minerals are of only minorsignificance in embryo nutrition. Comparisons of the mineral balance of plant parts of Lupinusspp. with that of stem xylem sap and fruit tip phloem sap supportthe view that leaves and pod are principal recipients of xylem-borneminerals and that export from these organs via phloem is themajor source of minerals to the seeds. Endosperm and embryodiffer substantially in mineral compostition from phloem sap,suggesting that selective uptake occurs from the translocationstream during seed development. Considerable differences are observed between species in mineralcomposition of plant organs and in the effectiveness of transferof specific minerals to the seeds Differences between speciesrelate principally to Ca, Na and certain trace elements.     

Regulation of Mineral Redistribution in Pod-Bearing Soybean Explants

On the way from the roots to the seeds during reproductive developmentin soybean (Glycine max), a large proportion of the mineralspass through the leaves rather than travelling directly viathe xylem. This direct and indirect movement of mineral nutrientshas important implications for mineral redistribution, seeddevelopment and leaf senescence. Therefore, we have studiedthe role of cytokinin and mineral flux from the roots in regulatingmineral redistribution from the leaves to the seeds using explants,i.e. a leaf, a pod and a subtending stem segment, with theirbases immersed in treatment solutions. Thus, defined solutionscontaining cytokinin and/or minerals can be substituted forthe roots. When explants (excised at early-mid podfill) aresupplied H₂O only, leaf N, P, K, Mo, Mg, Zn, Fe, B, Cu, Ca,and Mn decline, ranging from 93% for Mo to 38% for Fe. In explantson H₂O, N, P, K, Mo, Mg, Zn, and Fe appear to be redistributedfrom the leaves to the seeds, while the B, Cu, Ca, and Mn lostfrom the leaves do not seem to move to the seeds. Although amixture of minerals resembling xylem sap can delay net lossof these elements from the leaves, it does not prevent the decreases.The cytokinin zeatin (4.6 µM) inhibits the loss of N,IC, Mo, Mg, Zn, Fe, B, Cu, Ca, and Mn from the leaves, but notthat of P. When combined with minerals, zeatin not only preventsthe loss of the minerals from the leaves but may even greatlyincrease them with the possible exception of Zn, Fe, and Cu.Supplying the mineral nutrient mixture increases the quantitiesof N, P, K, Mg, Cu, and B in the seeds but not Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca,and Mo. For those minerals, especially N, where zeatin inhibitsefflux from the leaves, it may reduce the amounts in the seeds,but it does not change P, K, Mg, and Ca. The accumulation andredistribution patterns of the different mineral nutrients showmany dissimilarities thereby suggesting differences in the controlof their distribution. Key words: Cytokinin, mineral transport, seed development, senescence     

Seasonal Changes of Bioelements in the Litter and their Potential Return to Green Leaves in four Species of the Argentine Subtropical Forest

The aim of this work was to analyse the nutrient concentrationsof N, P, Ca, Mg, K and Na in mature leaves, branches and fruitsand to investigate relationships between the contents of thesebioelements in senescent and fresh leaves in four forest species:Gleditsia amorphoides ( Espina Corona), Patagonula americana(Guayaibí),Chlorophora tinctoria ( Mora) and Astroniumbalansae (Urunday). The study site was located in the ColoniaBenítez Estricta Nature Research (Chaco, Argentina).In this subtropical forest, total litter was collected monthlyand was sorted into three groups: (1) leaves; (2) branches andfruit; (3) unidentified. Total dry matter was recorded and analysedfor N, P, Ca, Mg, K and Na. Espina Corona had the highest leafconcentrations of N, while Mora had the highest concentrationsof Ca and Mg. The highest leaf concentrations of P were foundin Espina Corona, Mora and Urunday. No significant differencesin K were found among the different species. Na concentrationswere higher in Espina Corona and Guayaibí than Mora andUrunday. A marked seasonal variability was observed in the concentrationsof N, P and K, with no important differences for Ca and Mg,except in Espina Corona. These variations in nutrient concentrationswere greater in leaves than in branches and fruits. N and Pwere translocated to other tree organs and Ca, Mg and Na wereaccumulated in mature leaves. The bioelement K is the only onethat undergoes leaching and mobilization in all species. ResorbedN and P can be used for the production of new leaf organs inthe following annual cycle. This resorption supports a portionof the production of new foliage, diminishing the demand fromsoil.Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Above-ground production, potential return, nutrient resorption, leaf analysis, tropical forest, Gleditsia amorphoides, Patagonula americana, Chlorophora tinctoria, Astronium balansae, Espina Corona, Guayaibí, Mora, Urunday.     

Litter fall and nutrient dynamics in a Nigerian rain forest seven years after a ground fire

Abstract. Seasonal litter fall and mineral element content (N, P, Ca, Mg, K) of regrowth forest communities at the base and on the slope of an inselberg in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, were studied 7 yr after a ground fire ravaged the forest. Litter fall (tha^?1 yr^?1) was 4.6 (total), 4.2 (leaf), 0.3 (small wood < 2.5 cm diameter) and 0.1 (reproductive parts: fruits and flowers) in the base community and 6.4 (total), 5.4 (leaf), 0.9 (small wood) and 0.1 (reproductive parts) in the slope community. There was significant monthly variation in litter fall in the two communities with lowest amount of litter recorded during the wettest months of the year (May - August) and the highest amount during the dry season. Significant monthly variation (P<0.05) in Ca, Mg and K concentration in leaf litter and for Mg (P < 0.01) in fruit litter occurred, with the lowest concentration recorded during the wettest months (May-August). In leaf and wood litter the order of mineral element concentration was Ca>N>K> Mg > P while in fruit litter it was N > K > Ca > Mg > P. Quantities of mineral element (kg ha^-1 yr¹) returned to the soil via litterfall were N: 66; P: 4; Ca: 97; Mg: 15; K: 45 in base forest, and N: 112; P: 5; Ca: 142; Mg: 20; K: 66 in slope forest. Through leaf litter >88.5% of these elements was returned into the two communities, through wood > 4.0% and through reproductive organs > 0.3%. The order of quantities of these elements returned in leaf and wood litter was Ca > N > K > Mg > P, in fruit litter N ～ K > Ca > Mg > P. Significant monthly variation in the amounts of the various elements returned were recorded in leaf litter, but not in wood and fruit litter. The lowest amount of various elements was returned during the wettest months (May-August) which coincided with the period of the lowest element concentration and litter fall.     

Disproportionate allocation of mineral nutrients and carbon between vegetative and reproductive structures in Banksia hookeriana

We compared above-ground allocation patterns in mature shrubs of Banksia hookeriana from three 13-year-old populations, growing on nutrient-impoverished sands to determine whether C (dry mass) could be a substitute for mineral nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and NA). The percentage of reproductive structures to total above-ground growth (reproductive effort; RE) was integrated over nine successive reproductive cycles. Only 0.5% of above-ground dry mass was allocated to seeds compared with 31% to total RE. Allocations of N (24%) and P (48%) to seeds, and N (44%) and P (65%) to RE were much higher. Allocations of K, Ca, Mg and Na to seeds (<1–3%), and RE (21–35%) were closer to that of dry mass. Relative allocation (RA) is defined as the proportion of a nutrient element allocated to a structure relative to its dry mass. RA of P to seeds was 91 and N was 44, but for K, Ca, Mg and Na ranged from only 6 for K to<1 for Na. Thus P, and to a lesser extent N, provide a much more sensitive measure of the relative cost of reproduction than C in this nutrient-limited system.     

Stoichiometric traits of oriental oak (Quercus variabilis) acorns and their variations in relation to environmental variables across temperate to subtropical China

The stoichiometric composition of plant reproductive organs varies with environmental conditions at a large geographical scale, which has potentially important consequences both for plant reproductive success and for the nutrition of consumers. In the study reported here, we investigated variations in the concentrations of macronutrients in acorns of the oriental oak (Quercus variabilis) in relation to environmental variables across a geographic gradient spanning temperate and subtropical latitudes. Across this gradient, nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) concentrations of the acorns had higher coefficients of variance (CV 18?C23?%) than the other elements (CV 8?C14?%). With increasing latitude (LAT), acorn N, potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations increased, whereas those of sulfur (S) and Ca and the carbon:nitrogen (C:N) and S:N ratios decreased. The K and Mg concentrations of the acorns were positively correlated with the concentrations of these elements in the soil, whereas N and Ca concentrations were inversely correlated with soil concentrations. The C:N:P (phosphorus) molar ratio of the acorns was 1,008:17:1. A low temperature and short growing season stimulated seeds to accumulate more macronutrient elements in the north to ensure reproductive success, while high soil Ca in the north led plants to allocate less Ca to their acorns. The pattern of variation in acorn stoichiometric traits along LAT may be the result of interacting effects of plant reproduction strategy and environmental factors. Our results can help improve our understanding of the effects of global changes on the chemical compositions of plant reproductive organs and advance our knowledge of global patterns of ecological stoichiometry in reproductive organs.     

Mineral composition ofCuscuta nevadensis Johnston (dodder) in relationship to its hosts

Summary The mineral composition of 16 samples of dodder (Cuscuta nevadensis Johnston) and leaves of eight species of its host plants collected from the northern Mojave Desert were examined to determine relationships between parasitism and transport of mineral elements from the host to the parasite. The K concentration of dodder was fairly constant for a wide range of host plants. It was sometimes less than and sometimes greater than that of the host. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, B, Mn, Mo, and Sr in dodder were always much lower than those of leaves of host plants. Those of Fe, P, and Al were sometimes higher. Sodium was generally excluded from dodder regardless of host concentration. Positive and significant correlation coefficients were obtained for concentration in doddervs concentration in leaves of host plants for P, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, Mo, Sr, Ba, and Li. The coefficient of variation was less in the dodder than in leaves of the different host plants for 7 of 17 metals.     

The Distribution of Nine Elements in Shoots of Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus angustifolius L. Compared with that of Silicon as a Measure of Passive Transport

The Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and opaline-Si contentsof leaves, stems and inflorescences from each order of shootaxis was determined in Lupinus albus L. and Lupinus angustifoliusL. The distribution of Si was used as a base for passive transportin the transpiration stream. All of the elements investigatedwere redistributed among the leaves, stems and inflorescencesof either L. albus or L. angustifolius. Most of the elementsinvestigated were enriched in the inflorescences and depletedin either the leaves or the stems. Sodium was enriched in thestems whereas Ca and Mn were redistributed only in L. albus.The pattern of element redistribution was similar in each ofthe lateral shoot axes except for the youngest. For the elementsenriched in the inflorescences, more than half was suppliedby redistribution. Calcium redistribution was similar to thatfor K, which is regarded as phloem mobile, but a mechanism forCa redistribution is uncertain. Lupinus albus L., Lupinus angustifolius L., mineral transport, leaves, inflorescences, transpiration, silicon, calcium     

Phloem and Xylem Transport in the Supply of Minerals to a Developing Legume (Lupinus albus L.) Fruit

The economy of carbon, nitrogen, water and mineral elementsin fruits of Lupinus albus L. was studied by measuring accumulationof these quantities in the developing fruit and estimating itstranspirational losses and CO₂ exchanges. Combining this informationwith data on levels of mineral elements in the xylem sap andphloem sap supplying the fruit, it was possible to test whethertransport based on mass inflow through xylem and phloem wouldaccount for the observed intake of elements. A model of transportbased on water and carbon intake suggested that vascular intakeduring the fruit's life matched the recorded increment for mineralsto within ± 15 per cent for N, Na, Zn, Fe and Cu, andto within ± 23 per cent for P, K and S. However, estimatedvascular intake of Ca, Mg and Mn accounted for less than one–thirdof the recorded intake by the fruit, inadequacy of vascularintake being especially great early in growth. Transport inphloem accounted for more than 80 per cent of the fruit's vascularintake of C, N and S, and 70–80 per cent of its P, K,Mg and Zn. Xylem contributed 68 per cent of the vascular inputof Ca, 59 per cent of the Na, and 34–38 per cent of theFe, Mn and Cu. Enclosure and darkening of fruits reduced levelsof Ca and Fe but increased levels of N, P, K and Zn in fruitdry matter relative to unenclosed, illuminated fruits. Resultswere related to previous observations on fruit functioning. Lupinus albus, legume fruit, mineral supply, phloem, xylem     

Mineral Nutrition of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum)

Acacia acuminata is a preferred host of the root hemiparasitictree, Santalum spicatum (sandalwood). Comparison between nutrientcontent of adult trees of sandalwood and results for an earlierstudy of the mistletoe, Amyema preissii, on the same host species,A. acuminata, showed similar high levels of K and Na and lowlevels of Zn in both parasites compared with the host plants.Differences in K, Ca, N and Cu levels between parasitized anduninfected Acacias imply that the host plant contributes tothe nutrition of sandalwood. The high K/Ca ratio in sandalwoodconfirms that K uptake in preference to Ca is a general featureof all categories of angiosperm parasites. Patterns of distribution of nutrients between various partsof sandalwood and A. acuminata depend on the type of nutrient,but levels are usually highest in leaves of both species andthe haustoria. Although K, Ca and Na are much lower in the kernelsthan in vegetative parts of the parasite, only seedlings withoutsupplementary Ca in a nutrient omission experiment failed togrow at all in the absence of hosts. Growth is not dependenton the level of K in the unattached plants but other evidenceindicates it may have a role in water uptake in the attachedplant. Calcium supply has a marked effect on internal Ca levelsand growth of unattached plants. Compared with field plants,levels of Ca, and to a lesser extent Zn, were much higher inplants of the Ca/K treatment that produced greatest growth over34 weeks. Haustorial formation is enhanced by the presence of A. acuminataroots. However, competition for nutrients, especially Ca, fromco-planted A. acuminata seedlings results in suppression ofgrowth of young sandalwood compared with their growth in theabsence of the host species. Key words: Mineral nutrients, Santalum spicatum, Acacia acuminata, hemiparasites, K/Ca nutrition, seeds     

Mistletoes and mutant albino shoots on woody plants as mineral nutrient traps

Background and Aims

Potassium, sulphur and zinc contents of mistletoe leaves are generally higher than in their hosts. This is attributed to the fact that chemical elements which are cycled between xylem and phloem in the process of phloem loading of sugars are trapped in the mistletoe, because these parasites do not feed their hosts. Here it is hypothesized that mutant albino shoots on otherwise green plants should behave similarly, because they lack photosynthesis and thus cannot recycle elements involved in sugar loading.

Methods

The mineral nutrition of the mistletoe Scurrula elata was compared with that of albino shoots on Citrus sinensis and Nerium oleander. The potential for selective nutrient uptake by the mistletoe was studied by comparing element contents of host leaves on infected and uninfected branches and by manipulation of the haustorium–shoot ratio in mistletoes. Phloem anatomy of albino leaves was compared with that of green leaves.

Key Results

Both mistletoes and albino leaves had higher contents of potassium, sulphur and zinc than hosts or green leaves, respectively. Hypothetical discrimination of nutrient elements during the uptake by the haustorium is not supported by our data. Anatomical studies of albino leaves showed characteristics of release phloem.

Conclusions

Both albino shoots and mistletoes are traps for elements normally recycled between xylem and phloem, because retranslocation of phloem mobile elements into the mother plant or the host is low or absent. It can be assumed that the lack of photosynthetic activity in albino shoots and thus of sugars needed in phloem loading is responsible for the accumulation of elements. The absence of phloem loading is reflected in phloem anatomy of these abnormal shoots. In mistletoes the evolution of a parasitic lifestyle has obviously eliminated substantial feeding of the host with photosynthates produced by the mistletoe.     

Nutritional relationships between hemi-parasitic mistletoe and some of its deciduous hosts in different habitats

Parasitism of plants by other plants provides an exceptional opportunity for investigating correlative nutritional relationships. Because of lacking a usual plant-root sytem capable of active uptake, the best correlation for predicting the concentrations of elements in parasitic plants is often those in the host plants. This study, therefore, mainly focuses on determination of i) mineral nutrient partitioning between hemi-parasitic white berry mistletoe (Viscum album L. subsp. album) and four of its deciduous hosts growing in different habitats namely wetland and semi-arid and ii) effects of these habitat types on nutrient absorption. During the research, leaf samples of both hemi-parasites and their host plants were chemically analysed, mistletoes on each host plants were counted and the results were considered statistically. Concentrations of some elements (N, P, K, Na, S, Cu, Zn) were higher in mistletoe whereas some others (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and B) were higher in the hosts (p< 0.05). Habitat type was also determined to be effective in host-parasite systems. Revealing information about nutritional interactions between multi-host hemi-parasites and their host plants is a useful tool to understand their functions in ecosystems, population-community dynamics and their co-evolution process.     

Mineral nutrition of the hyperparasitic mistletoe Viscum articulatum Burm. f. (Viscaceae) in tropical Brunei Darussalam

A plant parasite parasitizing another plant parasite is known as a hyperparasite. Information is scarce regarding the ecophysiology of hyperparasites and their hosts despite their potential to illuminate processes of host–parasite solute flux. Here we present mineral profiles and stable isotopic data for two associations of the hyperparasite Viscum articulatum and its primary mistletoe and tree hosts. Acting as the terminal sink, the hyperparasite had consistently higher contents of all major and minor elements evaluated compared to the primary parasite and the proximal portion of the tree host branch. The primary parasite had lower contents of Cu, Mg, Mn, N, and Z relative to the proximal portion of the tree host branch, suggesting nutritional stress applied by the hyperparasite. Interestingly Fe and Cu showed no consistent pattern between host and primary parasite, while the osmotically active elements P and K increased from tree host, to primary mistletoe, and finally the hyperparasitic mistletoe. The δ¹³C partitioning patterns for hyperparasites, primary parasites, and hosts were non‐linear in contrast to linear patterns reported from the literature for autoparasitic mistletoe associations, demonstrating fundamental differences between nutrition in hyperparasites and autoparasites.     

Seasonal Dynamics of Biomass and Mineral Nutrient Partitioning in Mature Kiwifruit Vines

The accumulation of dry matter plus macro- and micronutnentsby various components of 6-year-old, field-grown kiwifruit vines(Actinidia deliciosa var deliciosa cv Hayward) was recordedover one season Twenty vines were harvested periodically throughoutthe year and separated into perennial components (roots <20 mm diameter, structural roots, stump, stem, cordon, one-year-oldfruiting wood) and current season's growth (non-fruiting shoots,laterals on fruiting wood, leaves and fruit) There was minimalseasonal variation (CVs < 7%) in biomass change in perennialcomponents of the vine Concentrations in these components eitherfluctuated about a constant value, or indicated a strong seasonaldependence Changes in biomass and nutnent concentrations incurrent season's growth, however, were very regular Prior tobudbreak, below-ground components contained between 48 and 81% of the total content of each element Roots < 20 mm diametercontained more total nutrient than any other perennial componentof the vine during the season, with the exception of Zn andCu, which were concentrated in the cordon There was consistentaccumulation of each nutrient from budbreak until harvest Ratesof greatest uptake occurred in the month following budbreak,or in the 3 weeks after anthesis Between dormancy and harvest,whole-vine contents increased for all nutrients Increases inFe, Mg, P, S and Zn ranged from 21 % (Zn) to 88% (Mg), and inB, Ca, Cl, Cu, K, N and Mn from 109% (Cu) to 302% (Cl) Despitethe large requirements of the current season's growth, net changesin the seasonal content of perennial components were relativelysmall Copper, Mg, P, N and Cl were the elements in which perennialreserves were utilized to the greatest extent to meet transientdeficits between nutnent demand for the current season’sgrowth, and that recently taken up from soil Generally, reserves utilized during the period of vegetativegrowth were replaced by harvest-time These observations, basedon application of a single fertiliser dressing before budbreak,suggest the vine maintains satisfactory fertility without theneed for late-season or post-harvest applications of fertiliserto supplement nutrient reserves, as occurs with some other fruitingcrops Actinidia deliciosa, kiwifruit, mineral nutrition, seasonal accumulation, whole-plant harvesting     

A Comparison of the Chemical Composition of Injured Leaves in Contrast to Uninjured Leaves of Victoria amazonica (Nymphaeaceae)

The object of this paper is to describe chemical and mineralogicalchanges in Victoria leaves that have sustained insect damage. Of 44 elements detected in various plant parts of Victoria amazonica(Poeppig) J. de C. Sowerby (V. regia auctt) Nymphaeaceae, only15 elements showed statistically significant differences inconcentration between insect-damaged leaves and whole (undamaged)leaves of the same plants. Two different types of insect damagewere noted: one was clearly recent, while the other was clearlyolder, probably not differing in time more than three weeks.Mg, Ca, Al, Si, S, Fe, Mn, Li and Ce were significantly moreconcentrated in the damaged leaf sections than in undamagedleaves of the mature plants with unopened buds. In the caseof preflowering plants, Na, Mg, Ca, Al, Si, S, Cl, Fe and Mnwere more prevalent in the damaged tissue than in the unattackedleaves of the same plants. In the former case, Na, K, Cl andP are rapidly lost when damage occurs, while plants that havehad a chance to recover from the damage, as in the case of thepreflowering plant leaves, begin to make up the difference inelemental concentration between the damaged and undamaged leaves. Mineralogical investigation showed that the amount of calcite(CaCO₃), the calcium oxalates weddellite and whewellite, andthe siliceous minerals - low-form cristobalite opal, low-formtridymite opal and quartz-was higher in the recently injuredleaves than in those that had been injured some time previouslyor than in the uninjured leaves. It is hypothesized that theincreased precipitation of minerals resulting from injury ispart of the plants' defence mechanism against further attackby insects or animals. Insect injury, Victoria, leaves, inorganic composition, mineralogy