局部供磷对玉米根系生长、磷吸收速率的影响

玉米幼苗种子根局部供磷可明显改变根系的形态。供磷区侧根生长增加,无磷区侧极生长减少。供磷区1次、2次侧根长度与2次侧根数量明显增加;而1次侧根数量则不增加。供磷区缩小时,根系生长加快,单位根区磷吸收速率增加,但单位根重磷吸收速率的增加不很明显。磷局部供应植株主要通过供磷区根系的生长来增加磷的吸收,以满足植株对磷的需求。局部供磷植株中转运到供磷根区的光合产物明显多于无磷根区。     

螯合剂对重金属超量积累植物Thlaspi caerulescens的锌、铜、锰和铁吸收的影响

由螯合剂EDTA和DTPA对重金属超量积累植物Thlaspicaerulescens吸收Zn、Cu、Mn、Fe和P的影响表明：营养液含Zn10μnol／L几条件下,植株地上部全Zn含量和根系吸Zn速率分别达到1681mgkg-1干重和448mgkg-1根干重d－1;43．2μmol／L的EDTA或DTPA处理显著抑制植株的生长,也减少植株单位根重吸收的Zn量,降低地上部和根系全Zn、全Cu、全Mn含量和可溶态含量,增加地上部的全Fe和全P含量;所有处理中地上部全Zn和可溶态Zn含量均明显高于根系,说明T．caerulescens吸收的Zn大部分运向地上部。与Fe（Ⅲ）EDTA处理相比,Fe（Ⅲ）EDDHA处理植株的单位很重吸收Zn总量和地上部全Zn含量均较高。     

硫化氢对淹水平邑甜茶根系形态构型、叶片活性氧和光合特性的影响

以盆栽平邑甜茶为试材,分别将盆浸没于5种浓度硫化氢(H₂S)释放剂硫氢化钠(NaHS;0、0.02、0.05、0.1、0.2 mmol·L^-1)水溶液,以及添加有次牛磺酸(HT;H₂S清除剂)的NaHS水溶液中,10 d后调查根系形态构型、叶片活性氧生成和光合气体交换参数以及植株生长的变化.结果表明: 在淹水处理液中加入0.02～0.1 mmol·L^-1 NaHS,能增加土壤淹水时根系总长度、表面积、体积、直径、根尖数、分形维数、一级侧根数量和根系活力,降低叶片超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)生成速率和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量,提高叶片光合速率(P_n)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、气孔导度(g_s)、水分利用效率(WUE)和表观CO₂利用效率(CUE),还提高幼苗株高和植株生物量,其中NaHS在浓度0.1 mmol·L^-1 时作用效果最显著;当NaHS施用浓度达到0.2 mmol·L^-1或在0.1 mmol·L^-1 NaHS中加施次牛磺酸时,上述指标均降回到单纯淹水时的水平.这说明添加适量H₂S能够有效缓解土壤淹水对平邑甜茶根系生长的抑制,可以通过减少活性氧产生以及提高CUE,从而减轻淹水胁迫对叶片光合性能和植株生长的不利影响.     

苯丙烯酸对黄瓜幼苗生理特性的影响

采用基质栽培模拟实验,研究了不同浓度苯丙烯酸对黄瓜幼苗生理特性的影响.结果表明,苯丙烯酸对黄瓜幼苗的光合色素、光合速率、蒸腾速率和根系活力产生了抑制作用.当处理浓度为25μmol·L^-1时,对类胡萝卜素产生抑制作用,对叶绿素a、叶绿素b为促进作用;当浓度为50μmol·L^-1时,对光合速率、蒸腾速率和根系活力均产生显著的抑制作用(P<0.05),并随着处理浓度的增加抑制作用增强;当浓度为150μmol·L^-1时,对叶绿素a、叶绿素b产生显著抑制作用(P<0.05);随着处理浓度的增加,对黄瓜上述生理特性的抑制作用增强.低浓度苯丙烯酸(25～50μmol·L^-1)对幼苗根系活力的抑制强度不大,可在处理后期得到恢复;高浓度(100～150μmol·L^-1)处理则表现出显著的抑制作用,随着处理时间延长,抑制作用增强(P<0.05).     

超积累生态型东南景天吸收锌的特性

采用水培和盆栽方法研究超积累生态型东南景天吸收锌的特征。在水培条件下,1μmol·L-1Zn处理,根系Zn含量随着处理时间的增加而缓慢增加,叶片和茎Zn含量在处理2d后达到最大值,随着培养时间的延长,其含量略有下降。500μmol·L-1Zn处理水平下,叶片和茎Zn含量随着处理时间的增加而增加,处理16d后基本上达到稳定,根系Zn含量在0～16d增加缓慢,但处理16d后急剧上升。当溶液Zn浓度为1～500μmol·L-1,叶片和茎Zn含量随营养液中Zn浓度的增加而增加,而根系Zn含量增加缓慢;当溶液Zn≥1000μmol·L-1时,叶片和茎Zn含量急剧下降,而根系Zn含量迅速增加。盆栽条件下,当土壤Zn含量较低时时,土壤Zn促进东南景天的生长。5月13日和7月21日收获的植株地上部的干物质量分别在400mg·kg-1(0.71g盆-1)和800mg·kg-1(1.45g盆-1)处理达到最大值。但当土壤Zn添加量≥1600mg·kg-1时,植物的生长受到抑制。随着土壤中Zn添加量的增加,东南景天地上部Zn浓度变化趋势基本上与其生物量的变化一致。5月13日收获时,当土壤Zn添加量≤1600mg·kg-1,地上部Zn含量随着土壤Zn浓度的增加而增加,在1600mg·kg-1处理达到最大值,约为17000mg·kg-1(DW)。7月21日收获的结果显示,当土壤Zn添加量≤800mg·kg-1,地上部Zn含量随着土壤Zn浓度的增加而增加,最大值为29000mg·kg-1(DW);但当土壤Zn添加量≥1200mg·kg-1时,地上部Zn含量反而随着土壤Zn含量的增加而显著降低。     

镉锌复合污染对龙葵苗期生长和镉锌累积特性的影响

采用营养液培养法研究了苗期龙葵(Solanumnigrum L.)对镉锌复合污染的反应及其对镉锌的吸收和积累特性.结果表明:(1)高浓度镉(200μmol·L-1)、锌(500μmol·L-1)胁迫使苗期龙葵植株生长受到严重抑制,但低浓度镉锌复合处理的部分植株生物量甚至超过了对照.(2)添加锌对苗期龙葵地上部镉积累有显著的影响(P<0.05);当锌浓度为100μmol·L-1时,镉积累量达到峰值,其中的100Cd/100Znμmol·L-1处理组合的镉积累量为所有处理中的最大值(地上部积累量高达171.31μg·plant-1);当锌浓度增加到500μmol·L-1时,植株体内镉积累量则呈现下降趋势.(3)添加镉对苗期龙葵地上部锌积累也有显著的影响(P<0.05);当镉浓度达50μmol·L-1时,根、茎、叶中锌积累量均达到最高值;当镉浓度为200μmol·L-1时,各处理单株地上部锌积累量最低.(4)从植株整体的镉、锌积累量来看,苗期龙葵地上部镉积累量最高达根系的14.67倍,而其锌积累量最高达根系的13.59倍.研究发现,龙葵幼苗根系、茎和叶中镉、锌含量随营养液中镉、锌浓度的增加而显著增加(P<0.05);添加锌在一定程度上缓解了镉对苗期龙葵的毒害效应,低浓度锌还可以提高植株对镉的吸收和积累;添加镉在一定程度上增强了植株对锌的耐受性和吸收富集能力;植株地上部的镉、锌积累量明显高于根系.     

不同磷水平下玉米-大豆间作系统根系形态变化

本研究通过盆栽试验,探讨不同磷水平(0、50、100 mg P₂O₅·kg^-1,分别用P₀、P₅₀、P₁₀₀表示)下玉米与大豆间作系统根系形态的变化及其与磷吸收的关系,以明确玉米-大豆间作系统促进磷吸收的作用机制。结果表明: 不同磷水平下,间作显著改变了玉米和大豆的根系形态参数,提高了大豆根冠比。与单作模式相比,间作使玉米和大豆的根长、根表面积、根体积、根系干重分别显著增加25.6%、22.0%、39.2%、34.3%和28.1%、29.7%、37.3%、62.3%,而平均根直径分别显著降低15.2%和11.7%。不同磷水平下,磷素吸收当量比(LER_P)>1,玉米-大豆间作具有明显的磷吸收优势,且LER_P不受磷水平调控。间作诱导根系形态改变与磷吸收增加密切相关,其中玉米根系表面积增大、大豆根系长度增加是驱动玉米-大豆间作系统磷高效吸收的主要机制。根据回归方程,玉米根表面积和大豆根系长度增大10%,磷吸收量提高5%～10%。因此,与中等施磷水平(P₁₀₀)下的单作相比,玉米-大豆间作条件下磷肥减施1/2(P₅₀)并未降低玉米的磷吸收量。综上,玉米-大豆间作体系在减施磷肥条件下具有维持作物磷吸收的潜力。     

柚树叶片CO2驯化的光合参数变化

柚树(Citrus grandis)幼树生长在砂和石至石的生长介质.每周供给0.05mmol P(正常P,P)和0.1mmol P(高磷,2P)的营养液.植株分别生长在空气CO₂分压(约39Pa)和倍增CO₂分压(81±5Pa)下45d.利用CI-301PS(CID,Inc)光合作用测定系统在较高光强(1150μmol·m^-2·s^-1)下测定叶片光合速率并得出的Pn-Pi关系曲线和在较高CO₂分压(PCO₂,56Pa)下得出Pn-PAR关系曲线计算有关光合参数.结果表明,大气CO₂分压下2P植株最大光合速率较P植株高13.3%,倍增CO₂分压下,无论P或2P植株最大光合速率较大气CO₂分压下相应植株低,但在倍增CO₂分压下2P植株较P植株高.且2P植株有较P植株高的表观量子产率和光能利用效率(P<0.05),但并不改变Γ^*、Rd和Rubisco羧化速率(Vc)和氧速率的比率(P>0.05).在大气CO₂分压下2P植株的V_cmax和J_max较P植株分别高8.3%和12.5%.在倍增CO₂分压下2P植株的V_cmax和J_max均较P植株高.柚树在高CO₂驯化中改变叶N在Rubisco和捕光组分分配系数,但不改变叶N在光合电子传递链的分配系数,结果表明,增加P供给可以促进高CO₂分压下光合碳循环中P的周转,提高倍增CO₂分压下植株的光合速率.调节柚树叶片的CO₂驯化的光合参数.     

大豆柑桔间作系统中磷的分配和迁移规律研究

用微区试验和³²P同位素示踪技术,比较研究了大豆、柑桔间作和单作条件下,P在大豆和柑桔体中的分配、转移及其在土壤中的迁移规律.结果表明,间作大豆的吸P量和各部位累积P量显著地低于单作大豆;³²P肥料浅施,间作大豆吸收的³²P量显著低于单作大豆;³²P肥料深施,间作大豆吸收的³²P量显著高于单作大豆,但间作不影响P和³²P在各部位的转移和分配.间作柑桔吸收的³²P量显著低于单作柑桔.柑桔新吸收的³²P可快速向地上部分输送,并优先供应生长活跃部位.间作不影响³²P在柑桔各部位的转移和分配,但是P肥深施使柑桔吸收的³²P向地上部分和生长活跃部位的转移速率减慢.间作使土壤中P的生物移动性增强,可促进土壤深层P向土壤浅层迁移.试验结果表明,大豆柑桔间作磷肥的施用深度以保持在20cm以内为佳.     

内蒙古典型草原优势种冷蒿和克氏针茅对土壤低磷环境适应策略的比较

为探究典型草原植物长期共存的生理生态机制, 以典型草原的优势物种克氏针茅(Stipa krylovii)和冷蒿(Artemisia frigida)为材料, 采用基质培养方法, 通过比较不同供磷浓度对二者生物量、根系形态、质子分泌、酸性磷酸酶和有机酸分泌以及磷吸收利用效率的影响, 探讨克氏针茅和冷蒿对土壤磷缺乏的适应策略。研究结果表明: 冷蒿主要通过根系分泌酸性磷酸酶和酸化根际来适应低磷环境; 而克氏针茅主要是通过根系分泌有机酸(主要是苹果酸)来适应土壤磷缺乏。在低磷条件下, 克氏针茅和冷蒿的磷吸收效率没有显著差异, 但克氏针茅的磷利用效率显著高于冷蒿。随着供磷浓度增加, 二者的磷吸收速率增加, 磷利用效率降低。在生物量、地上部分性状以及根系生长方面, 克氏针茅和冷蒿对磷供给的响应都表现先增长后降低的趋势; 克氏针茅的生物量在外源供0.25 mmol·L^-1磷时达到最大, 而冷蒿的生物量在外源供0.50 mmol·L^-1磷时达到最大, 表明冷蒿对磷的生理需求高于克氏针茅。因此, 克氏针茅和冷蒿具备各自不同的适应土壤有效磷缺乏的生理策略, 这可能是它们在土壤贫瘠的温带典型草原长期共存的重要机制。     

长柔毛委陵菜对锌的吸收动力学特性

采用水培方法研究了不同Zn处理水平和处理时间下长柔毛委陵菜对锌的吸收动力学特性. 结果表明,在10 mg·L^-1 Zn处理下,植株地上部和根系的Zn含量均在第8天达到最高值,分别为2.49×10³ mg·kg^-1和2.21×10³ mg·kg^-1;在100 mg·L^-1 Zn处理下,植株地上部的Zn含量在第16天达最高值1.23×10³ mg·kg^-1,而根系Zn含量不存在饱和现象. 在0～160 mg·L^-1 Zn处理下,植株叶片和叶柄Zn含量随Zn处理水平的提高显著增加,Zn浓度大于160 mg·L^-1后, 植株叶片和叶柄Zn含量不再随介质中Zn浓度的提高而增加（甚至减少）, 根系含Zn含量与介质中的Zn浓度和培养时间呈正相关,且根系Zn吸收动力学曲线具有二型性,即开始为快速的线性吸收,随后是较缓慢的饱和吸收,两者分界点约在1～2 h,这可能分别与根细胞壁吸附Zn和Zn跨根细胞膜运输有关.     

钾局部供应对玉米根系生长和钾吸收速率的影响

采用自制培养装置,在玉米种子根的局部根段供应含钾营养液。研究证明钾局部供应不影响地上部和总根系干物质的积累。试验开始后第１０ 天钾局部供应使供钾区的根系总长明显增加,这是由于二次侧根长度和数量的增加,但一次侧根生长增加不明显。试验开始第３ 天起,钾供应区的钾吸收速率明显加快。因此,早期可能主要通过钾吸收速率的加快来补偿由于钾局部供应的不足,二次侧根长出以后,根系生长的增加可能部分补偿供钾的不足。１４ Ｃ示踪试验表明,钾局部供应时,植株中的光合产物运向供钾根区的量多于无钾根区     

玉米氮素吸收的基因型差异及其与根系形态的相关性

采用溶液培养的方法,选用在田间、土培试验中对氮反应有典型差异的玉米自交系：478、H21、Wu312、Zong31、Baici,在4个供N水平（0.04、0.4、2.4mmol/L）下,研究了玉米苗期氮素吸收、分配的基因差异以及与根系形态之间的相关关系,结果表明：在一定的NO3^-浓度范围内（0.04-2mmol/L）,根系生物量随N水平的提高而增加,而高N不同程度地降低了5个自交系根系干重。低N下（0.04mmol/L）,与其它自交系相比,N高效基因型478具有较大的根系生物量,其根系干重分别为H21、Wu312、Zong31、Baici的1.1、1.74、1.6、1.18倍,并往根系分配了较大比例的N素,根系N累积占总N量的百分率比Wu312、Zong31分别高18.34％、17.08％,而N低效基因型Wu312、Zong31则往地上部分配了较大比例的氮素。随N水平的增加,显著促进了地上部的生长,并在地上部分配了较大比例的N素。当N水平增至4mmol/L时,地上部N素分配的基因型差异减小。低N下,5个自交系根系干重、总根长、根轴总长与总吸N量显著线性相关,而高N下不表现相关关系,说明在N素胁迫的条件下,根系形态对N吸收效率起重要作用。     

A study of the role of root morphological traits in growth of barley in zinc-deficient soil

Zinc (Zn) deficiency reduces crop yields globally. This study investigated the importance of root morphological traits, especially root hairs, in plant growth and Zn uptake. Wild-type barley (Hordeum vulgare) Pallas and its root-hairless mutant brb were grown in soil and solution culture at different levels of Zn supply for 16 d. Root morphological traits (root length, diameter, and surface area) were measured using the WinRHIZOPro Image Analysis system. In soil culture, Pallas had greater shoot dry matter, shoot Zn concentration, shoot Zn content, and Zn uptake per cm(2) root surface area than brb, primarily under zinc deficiency. Both Pallas and brb developed longer roots under Zn deficiency. Development of root hairs was not affected by plant Zn status. In solution culture, there were no significant genotypic differences in any of the parameters measured, indicating that mutation in brb does not affect growth and Zn uptake. However, both Pallas and brb developed longer and thinner roots, and root hair growth was less than in soil culture, and was not affected by plant Zn status. The better growth and greater Zn uptake of Pallas compared with brb in Zn-deficient soil can be attributed primarily to greater root surface area due to root hairs in Pallas rather than other root morphological differences.     

Effect of silicate on the growth and arsenate uptake by rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings in solution culture

A solution culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of silicate on the yield and arsenate uptake by rice. Rice seedlings (Oryza sativaL. cv. Weiyou 77) were cultured in modified Hoagland nutrient solution containing three arsenate levels (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L ^–1 As) and four silicate levels (0, 14, 28 and 56 mg L ^–1 Si). Addition of Si significantly increased shoot dry weight (P=0.001) but had little effect on root dry weight (P=0.43). Addition of As had no significant effect on shoot dry weight (P=0.43) but significantly increased root dry weight (P=0.01). Silicon concentrations in shoots and roots increased proportionally to increasing amounts of externally supplied Si (P < 0.001). The presence of As in the nutrient solution had little effect on shoot Si concentration (P=0.16) but significantly decreased root Si concentration (P=0.005). Increasing external Si concentration significantly decreased shoot and root As concentrations and total As uptake by rice seedlings (P <0.001). In addition, Si significantly decreased shoot P concentration and shoot P uptake (P <0.001). The data clearly demonstrate a beneficial effect of Si on the growth of rice seedlings. Addition of Si to the growth medium also inhibited the uptake of arsenate and phosphate by the rice seedlings.     

Interaction between aluminium and phosphorus in sorghum plants

A solution culture experiment was carried out to study the effects of interactions between aluminium (Al) and phosphorus (P) on Al-toxicity under conditions of suboptimal P supply. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber with seedlings of the Al-sensitive sorghum genotype TAM428 (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Phosphorus deficiency differed from Al toxicity in its effect on shoot/root ratio and root morphological charateristics. Results indicated that there were positive effects of Al on the uptake and assimilation of P. Therefore, it was unlikely that an Al-induced P deficiency could account for the observed reduction in plant biomass. Plants suffered more from Al toxicity at very low P supply. Moreover, decreasing P supply resulted in increased root H-ion efflux density. In the soil, where a rhizosphere can be formed, this would make the plant even more susceptible to Al. Dry matter yield of the plants was affected more severely by Al at the first harvest (14 days) than at the second (35 days), but the opposite was true for P. Aluminium-inhibited root development and reduced uptake of N, K and Mg (but not Ca) may be partly responsible for the growth depression. Increasing the P supply exerted certain roles in eliminating Al phytotoxicity, possibly through improved root development and nutrient uptake. The detrimental influence of Al on biomass could be overcome by doubling the P supply.     

Seasonal dynamics of the association between sweet potato and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

To better understand the behavior of selected vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) isolates in the field, we documented the growth of roots, root hairs, and VAM colonization of inoculated and noninoculated sweet potato plants (Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam. cv White Star) over a growing season. We also determined the seasonal dynamics of P and Zn uptake, and shoot and storage-root growth. Shoot cuttings were inoculated with an isolate of either Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann or Acaulospora rugosa Mortan, or were not inoculated, and were harvested 2, 4, 8, 13, 20, and 27 weeks after planting (WAP). At each harvest, roots were sampled at 0 to 30, 30 to 60, and 60 to 90 cm depths and at 0, 23, 83, and 116 cm from the base of the shoot. At the end of the study, the roots of three non-inoculated plants were sampled by soil horizon. Inoculation had no affect on shoot growth or total shoot uptake of P and Zn; shoot dry mass and P and Z content increased rapidly up to 20 WAP, while shoot length continued to increase through 27 WAP. Shoot-P concentration of plants inoculated with A. rugosa at 2 and 8 WAP were higher than the noninoculated plants, while shoot-Zn concentration was not affected by inoculation. Storage-root yields of inoculated plants were higher than yields for noninoculated plants. Root length density, and percentage of root length with root hairs and VAM colonization were highest and most dynamic near the base of the plant. Percentage of root length colonization by VAM fungi was highest in the E2 horizon, intermediate in the Bh horizon, and lowest in the Ap horizon. Percentage of root length with root hairs had the opposite pattern. Intensive measurements of root characteristics close to the base of the plant, and shoot P-content and concentration during the period of rapid yield production, provided the most useful data for evaluating the activity of effective isolates.Published as Florida Agricultural Experimental Station Journal Series No. R-02576     

Differences between maize and wheat in growth-related nutrient demand and uptake of potassium and phosphorus at suboptimal root zone temperatures

The effects of low root zone temperatures (RZT) on nutrient demand for growth and the capacity for nutrient acquisition were compared in maize and wheat growing in nutrient solution. To differentiate between direct temperature effects on nutrient uptake and indirect effects via an altered ratio of shoot to root growth, the plants were grown with their shoot base including apical shoot meristem either within the root zone (low SB), i.e. at RZT (12°, 16°, or 20°C) or, above the root zone (high SB), i.e. at uniformly high air temperature (20°/16° day/night).At low SB, suboptimal RZT reduced shoot growth more than root growth in wheat, whereas the opposite was true in maize. However, in both species the shoot growth rate per unit weight of roots, which was taken as parameter for the shoot demand for mineral nutrients per unit of roots, decreased at low RZT. Accordingly, the concentrations of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) remained constant or even increased at low RZT despite reduced uptake rates.At high SB, shoot growth at low RZT in both species was higher than at low SB, whereas root growth was not increased. At high SB, the shoot demand per unit of roots was similar for all RZT in wheat, but increased with decreasing RZT in maize. Uptake rates of K at high SB and low RZT adapted to shoot demand within four days, and were even higher in maize than in wheat. Uptake rates of P adapted more slowly to shoot demand in both species, resulting in reduced concentrations of P in the shoot, particularly in maize.In conclusion, the two species did not markedly differ in their physiological capacity for uptake of K and P at low RZT. However, maize had a lower ability than wheat to adapt morphologically to suboptimal RZT by increasing biomass allocation towards the roots. This may cause a greater susceptibility of maize to nutrient deficiency, particularly if the temperatures around the shoot base are high and uptake is limited by nutrient transport processes in the soil towards the roots.     

Manganese dynamics in the rhizosphere and Mn uptake by different crops evaluated by a mechanistic model

Understanding of the mechanisms of Mn supply from the soil and uptake by the plants can be improved by using simulation models that are based on basic principles. For this, a pot culture experiment was conducted with a sandy clay loam soil to measure Mn uptake by summer wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Planet), maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pirat) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. cv. Orbis) and to simulate Mn dynamics in the rhizosphere by means of a mechanistic model. Seeds of three crops were sown in pots containing 2.9 kg soil in a controlled growth chamber. Root and shoot weight, Mn content of plants, root length and root radius were determined 8 (13 days in case of sugar beet) and 20 days after germination. Soil and plant parameters were determined to run nutrient uptake model calculations. Manganese content of the shoot varied from 25 mg kg^-1 for sugar beet to 34 mg kg^-1 for maize. Sugar beet had the lowest root length/shoot weight ratio but the highest relative shoot growth rate, resulting in the highest shoot demand on the root. This is reflected by the Mn influx which was 0.9 × 10^-7, 1.7 × 10^-7 and 2.5 × 10^-7 nmol cm^-1 s^-1 for wheat, maize and sugar beet, respectively. Nutrient uptake model calculations predicted similar influx values. Initial Mn concentration of 0.2 μM in the soil solution decreased to only 0.16 μM for wheat, 0.13 μM for maize and 0.11 μM for sugar beet at the root surface. This shows that manganese transport to the root was not a limiting step. This was confirmed by the fact that an assumed 20 times increase in maximum influx (I_max) increased the calculated Mn influx by 3.7 times. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that for controlling Mn uptake the initial soil solution concentration (C _Li), the root radius (r₀), I_max and the Michaelis constant (K _m) were the most sensitive factors in the listed order. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.