Phylogenetic variation in the shoot mineral concentration of angiosperms

The calcium (Ca) concentration of plant shoot tissues varies systematically between angiosperm orders. The phylogenetic variation in the shoot concentration of other mineral nutrients has not yet been described at an ordinal level. The aims of this study were (1) to quantify the shoot mineral concentration of different angiosperm orders, (2) to partition the phylogenetic variation in shoot mineral concentration between and within orders, (3) to determine if the shoot concentration of different minerals are correlated across angiosperm species, and (4) to compare experimental data with published ecological survey data on 81 species sampled from their natural habitats. Species, selected pro rata from different angiosperm orders, were grown in a hydroponic system under a constant external nutrient regime. Shoots of 117 species were sampled during vegetative growth. Significant variation in shoot carbon (C), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) concentration occurred between angiosperm orders. There was no evidence for systematic differences in shoot phosphorus (P) or organic-nitrogen (N) concentration between orders. At a species level, there were strong positive correlations between shoot Ca and Mg concentration, between shoot P and organic-N concentration, and between shoot K concentration and shoot fresh weight:dry weight ratio. Shoot C and cation concentration correlated negatively at a species level. Species within the Poales and the Caryophyllales had distinct shoot mineralogies in both the designed experiment and in the ecological survey.     

干热河谷区不同林龄赤桉叶中养分含量和再吸收率的比较及其线性回归分析

以种植于干热河谷区的赤桉(Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.)幼龄林、中龄林和成熟林为研究对象,分析了赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶中养分(包括N、P、K、Ca、Mg和Na)的含量和化学计量比,并计算各养分的再吸收率;在此基础上,对鲜叶和凋落叶中各养分的含量与再吸收率进行线性回归分析.结果表明:成熟林赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶的有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾和全钠含量总体上高于幼龄林,而全钙和全镁含量则低于幼龄林;且鲜叶中的全氮、全磷、全钾、全钠和全镁含量总体上高于凋落叶,而有机碳和全钙含量则低于凋落叶.成熟林赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶的C:N比、鲜叶的N:P比和N:K比以及凋落叶的K:P比和Ca:Mg比均低于幼龄林,但其鲜叶的K:P比和Ca:Mg比及凋落叶的N:P比和N:K比则高于幼龄林;且不同林龄鲜叶的C:N比、K:P比和Ca:Mg比均低于凋落叶.各林龄赤桉叶的Ca再吸收率及幼龄林和中龄林叶的Na再吸收率均为负值,而其余养分的再吸收率均为正值;随林龄增长,N、K和Mg的再吸收率先升高后降低,而P、Ca和Na的再吸收率却先降低后升高;总体上看,赤桉叶中各养分的再吸收率从高到低依次为P、N、K、Mg、Na、Ca.线性回归分析结果表明:赤桉鲜叶的全钾和全钠含量分别与K和Na再吸收率呈极显著正相关(P<001),全钙含量与Ca再吸收率呈显著正相关(P<005);而凋落叶的全氮含量与N再吸收率呈极显著负相关,全镁含量与Mg再吸收率呈显著负相关.综合分析结果显示:林龄对赤桉叶的养分含量和再吸收率有明显影响,其保存养分的能力随林龄增长呈现先增强后减弱的趋势.     

镉胁迫下草莓幼龄期叶、根矿质元素积累和分布的变化

采用水培实验,研究重金属镉对草莓幼龄期叶、根矿质元素含量和分布的影响。结果表明,高量镉降低草莓根中K、Ca、Mg、P、Cu、Zn、Mn、Fe的积累,叶片相应元素以及B、Mo含量也随镉浓度增大而呈降低趋势;但镉浓度较低时,K、Mg、P、Zn在叶、根中的含量均增加,而后才随镉处理浓度提高而降低。在镉胁迫下,同一元素在草莓叶、根之间的分布也受到影响,而且某些矿质元素含量间有显著相关性。     

The calcium and magnesium ion metabolic characteristics of water plants in different taxonomic groups

Ca2+ and Mg2+ metabolism was investigated in 7 angiosperms and 3 moss species from fresh water of different mineral content. It is considered that adaptation in the water with low mineral content is connected with the decrease in salt wastes of an organism. The adaptation of ion-transport system of aquatic plants to living under conditions of low mineralization is higher in mosses than in angiosperms. Characteristics of mosses are very low speed of salt waste in distillate water (V0) and concentration of balance (Cb). According to suitability of ion metabolism system to the existence in water with low mineralization angiosperms could be divided into three groups. Some species are close to mosses, but the majority of plants are adopted to the water with medium or high mineralization. The difference in ion metabolism is connected with the conditions of origin of the given groups. The authors consider that effective adaptations were formed in the ancestor group of this taxon.     

Nutrient distribution in a Swedish tree species experiment

The influence of four tree species on the distribution of nutrients between different compartments of the ecosystem was examined. In a randomized block (n=3) experiment in south-western Sweden, Ca, Mg and K were determined as exchangeable amounts in the mineral soil and as total amounts in the O+A₁ horizons (topsoil) and in the aboveground tree biomass. N contents were determined in all compartments as well as P contents of the aboveground tree biomass and the topsoil. The four tree species planted were: silver fir [Abies alba Mill.] (AA), grand fir [Abies grandis Lindl.] (AG), Norway spruce [Picea abies L. Karst.] (PA) and Japanese larch [Larix leptolepis (Sieb. och Zucc.) Endl.] (LL). At the age of 35–36 years, the total stemwood production of the most productive species, AG, was estimated at 471 m³ ha⁻¹. In relation to AG, LL had produced 80%, PA 73% and AA 37%. The system totals [aboveground tree biomass total + topsoil total + exchangeable (Ca, Mg, K) or total (N) in the mineral soil] of Ca, K and N did not differ significantly at the 5% level between the investigated species. For Mg, the system total in LL was significantly higher than for the other species. There was an indication that LL and AA contained higher amounts of Ca, Mg, K and N in the topsoil but less in the biomass than did AG and PA (partly significant). In the mineral soil, there were no significant differences in the exchangeable pools of Ca and K, nor in the total amounts of N. The biomass nutrient concentrations generally decreased in the order: AA > PA > AG > LL. At stem or whole-tree harvest, the Ca export per biomass unit would more than double in the case of PA compared to LL. LL also contained less N in the biomass than the other species. However, the N content in the biomass did not differ between the most (AG) and the least (AA) productive species, although the production of dry weight biomass (standing + harvested) of AG had been twice that of AA. It is concluded that the nutrient budget of a managed forest may vary considerably depending on the choice of tree species.     

Variability between species in K/Ca ratios of successional plants

Summary The K/Ca ratios of six dominant perennial herbs on two abandoned agricultural fields in souther Ontario, Canada, were determined for June and September. Differential uptake of potassium and calcium conformed to root cation exchange theory, suggesting at least one possible mechanism influencing interspecific variability in mineral element composition of successional plants. K/Ca ratios were generally lowest for the legume, highest for the three gramineous species, and intermediate for the two dicotyledonous forbs.     

Influence of the spatial layout of vegetation on the stability of slopes

Background and aims

Plant nutrient uptake is affected by environmental stress, but how plants respond to cation-nutrient stress is poorly understood. We assessed the impact of varying degrees of cation-nutrient stress on cation uptake in an experimental plant-mineral system.

Methods

Column experiments, with red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) seedlings growing in sand/mineral mixtures, were conducted for up to 9 months. The Ca and K were supplied from both minerals and nutrient solutions with varying Ca and K concentrations.

Results

Cation nutrient stress had little impact on carbon allocation after 9 months of plant growth and K was the limiting nutrient for biomass production. Measurement of Ca/Sr and K/Rb ratios allowed independent estimation of dissolution incongruency and discrimination against Sr and Rb during cation uptake processes. The fraction of K in biomass from biotite increased with decreasing K supply from nutrient solutions. The mineral anorthite was consistently the major source of Ca, regardless of nutrient treatment.

Conclusions

Red pine seedlings exploited more mineral K in response to more severe K deficiency. This did not occur for Ca since Ca was not limiting plant growth. Plant discrimination factors must be carefully considered to accurately identify nutrient sources using cation tracers.     

Characteristics and Quantitative Analysis of Elements in Plants in Alashan Area,Nei Mongol

The mean element concentration of 37 plant species followed an order as Na>K>Ca>P>S>Al>Fe>Mn in Alashan region, Nei Mongol. The greatest variation was found in Na concentration among species with variation coefficient of 1.378. Kalidium spp. plants had the highest Na concentration, while Stipa glareosa Smirn. and Cleistogenes songorica (Roshev.) Ohwi had the lowest among the species studied. The intraspecific variation coefficient was less than the interspecific variation coefficient of most elements in the same species at different sites, although the reverse was seen in a few species. Variance of concentration ratios, viz K to Ca, K to P and Ca to P was minimally, while that Na to K, Na to Ca, Na to S and S to P was greater, and the ratios of desert plant were minimal, and those of salt desert plants were maximal. The correlation analysis of element concentration in plant revealed that Fe and Al, Na and ash, and S and ash correlated at the level of 0.001, Na and S correlated at the level of 0.05. The results of clustering and ordination of 8 element concentration in 37 species showed that quantitative analyse methods can distinguish the characteristics of elements concentration in different plant families and show the characteristics of their ecological groups.     

小麦籽粒不同部位的矿质元素组成与其含量差异

采用X-射线能谱仪测定非糯与糯性等品种小麦籽粒不同部位的矿质元素组成(H和He元素除外)和含量的结果表明:小麦籽粒中除含有大量C、O外,皮层富含K、P、se,其次是Cl、Si、S、Mg和Ca等;糊粉层富含P、K和Mg,其次是Si、Se、S、Ca、Cl和Fe等;胚乳层中相应的矿质元素含量比皮层和糊粉层低。不同品种籽粒各部位的矿质元素含量存在遗传性差异。据此认为籽粒磨成粉时应减少糊粉层的损失,以提高面粉的矿质价值。     

氯化钠胁迫对不同品种南瓜幼苗阳离子含量的影响

选择19个不同类型南瓜品种,研究了300 mmol·L^-1 NaCl胁迫条件下,幼苗地上部和根系Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺含量、Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、钠-钾和钠-钙运输选择性系数(S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值)的变化.结果表明：NaCl胁迫处理8 d后,不同品种南瓜幼苗Na⁺含量均明显增加,而K⁺含量下降,离子平衡被打破.青栗（Q₁）南瓜幼苗根系Na⁺含量、地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值均明显高于黑蜜南瓜（H₂）和黑籽南瓜（H₃）.不同品种南瓜幼苗体内Na⁺含量、地上部Na⁺/K⁺和Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值变化趋势与NaCI胁迫下不同品种南瓜幼苗盐害指数的结果基本一致,进一步验证了Q₁耐盐性强与NaCl胁迫下地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值较低以及K⁺、Ca²⁺含量较高有关;而H₂和H₃对盐敏感与NaCl胁迫下地上部Na⁺/K⁺、Na⁺/Ca²⁺、S_Na⁺,K⁺和S_Na⁺,Ca²⁺值较高,以及K⁺、Ca²⁺含量较低有关.     

Ion flux interaction with cytoplasmic streaming in branchlets of Chara australis

Both parts of the actin-myosin complex involved in cytoplasmic streaming could be regulated by mineral ions. The main goal of this study was to find a relationship between cyclosis and ion transport across the cell wall and plasma membrane. The transport of K(+) and Ca(2+) along pH bands in Chara branchlet internodal cells was characterized by using the MIFE system for non-invasive microelectrode measurement of ion fluxes. Branchlets formed acidic and alkaline bands with the pH ranging from 5 to 8. Different pH patterns were observed for different sides of the branchlets. Sides with cyclosis streaming acropetally generally showed greater variation in the profiles of pH and H(+) fluxes. Although a high correlation was not found between pH bands and Ca(2+) or K(+) fluxes, there was a positive correlation between Ca(2+) and K(+) fluxes themselves for both sides of the branchlets. Application of cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of cyclosis, had no immediate effect on pH and ion fluxes, however, the time of cyclosis cessation corresponded with a dramatic change in Ca(2+) and K(+) fluxes; pH profiles and H(+) fluxes were affected within 2 h. The evidence suggests that, in Chara branchlets, pH band formation and Gd(3+)-insensitive Ca(2+) transport systems are linked to the cyclosis machinery: (i) the pH band amplitude for the acropetally streaming side was larger than that for the basipetally streaming side; (ii) cessation of cytoplasmic streaming after cytochalasin D application resulted in changed pH banding profiles and H(+), Ca(2+) and K(+) fluxes; and (iii) the application of GdCl(3) or incubation in GdCl(3) solutions did not lead to the cessation of cytoplasmic streaming, although external Ca(2+) fluxes changed.     

Morphological and chemical leaf composition of Mediterranean evergreen tree species according to leaf age

Changes in morphology [leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA), thickness and density] and chemical composition (macronutrients and fibres content) in different age leaves of eight evergreen Mediterranean woody species were investigated. LMA and leaf thickness increased with leaf age increasing. Young tissues possessed higher concentrations of N, P, K, and Mg and lower Ca concentrations on a dry mass basis. However, mineral content was independent of age on leaf area basis (except for Ca content) suggesting that the changes in mineral concentration with leaf ageing are due to dilution in the larger dry mass accumulated in the oldest leaves. Leaf tissue density (LTD) increased during the first year of the leaf life. Lignin and hemicellulose concentrations did not vary along leaf life and the cellulose concentration increased with leaf age in most species between the current-year and the one-year old leaves. Our results suggested that physical leaf reinforcement with a higher cellulose concentration and density might be a leaf response to the unfavourable climatic conditions during the first winter.     

Mg content of healthy and chronically diseased human cancellous bone in relation to age and some physical and chemical factors

The magnesium (Mg) content of human cancellous bone was studied in relation to its elemental composition and mineral density. The material was collected from 138 cadavers consisting men and women of different ages. Duplicate specimens from anterior iliac crest (one macerated and one fixed with alcohol) were obtained from individuals who had died suddenly or whose deaths were due to chronic immobilizing diseases. The cation concentrations were analyzed with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, fluoride with the ion specific electrode, from macerated samples. The samples fixed in alcohol were used for determination of the mineral density with gamma rat attenuation. The mean Mg concentration (+/- SD) was 2.84 +/- 0.29 mg/g in the samples obtained from individuals who had died suddenly with no correlation with age. In the group with chronic diseases the mean Mg levels decreased slightly with increasing age. There was a significant, positive correlation between the Mg and Ca concentrations. In the linear regression analysis 16.4% of the variance of Mg concentration was accounted for by Ca. This relationship was more evident in men than in women. Only the postmenopausal women suffering from chronic diseases and having bone loss showed correlation between the bone Mg and Ca contents. The Mg/Ca ratio in men was quite constant and did not change significantly with age. In women the Mg/Ca ratio versus age showed no statistically significant relationship. The correlation between Mg and other elements was weak. The weak relationships between F and Zn to Mg clearly have no significant effect on the contents of these elements in bone.     

三江平原小叶章钾、钙、镁含量与累积的季节变化

2004年5—10月,对三江平原典型小叶章草甸和小叶章-苔草沼泽化草甸群落优势植物小叶章的K、Ca、Mg含量与累积的季节变化进行了研究.结果表明：典型草甸和沼泽化草甸小叶章不同器官K、Ca、Mg含量差异较大,其中,其地上器官的K含量整体均呈下降趋势,符合线性模型(y=A+Bt);茎中Ca含量变幅不大,符合抛物线模型(y=A＋B₁t＋B₂t₂),叶和叶鞘中整体呈递增变化,符合指数增长模型(y=Aexp(t/B₁)+B₂);茎中Mg含量变幅最大,而叶和叶鞘相对平缓.不同时期小叶章各器官K、Ca、Mg含量差异较大,典型草甸小叶章地上器官的K含量大多高于沼泽化草甸小叶章,而沼泽化草甸小叶章根、叶鞘的Ca、Mg含量则高于典型草甸小叶章;典型草甸和沼泽化草甸小叶章不同器官K、Ca、Mg储量及累积速率差异明显,其中根的储量最大,分别占总储量的（63.82±23.19）％、（78.68±15.44）％、（76.48±19.06）％和（85.23±9.20）％、（93.51±3.46）％、（92.39±3.22）％.典型草甸小叶章地上器官K、Ca、Mg储量均明显高于沼泽化草甸小叶章,根则相反.这种差异主要与小叶章生态学特性及所处生境有关。     

Carbon metabolism in spinach leaves as affected by leaf age and phosphorus and sulfur nutrition

Spinach (Spinacea oleracea) plants were grown either continuously on complete nutrient solutions or for 2 weeks on media deficient in phosphate or sulfate. To characterize leaf carbohydrate metabolism, levels of phosphorylated intermediates, activities of enzymes involved in photosynthetic carbon metabolism, contents of soluble and acid hydrolyzable sugars were measured in leaves differing in age and mineral status and related to leaf rates of photosynthesis and assimilate partitioning. Concentrations of metabolites—particularly those which are preferentially compartmented in the cytosol—decreased from young to old leaves and were lowest in old phosphate starved leaves. Nutrient deficiency showed comparable effects on stromal and cytosolic intermediates. Whole leaf ATP to ADP ratios were dependent on the growth regime, but did not much change with leaf age. The assimilatory force increased in all leaves suffering from mineral deficiency; the assimilatory force was low when photosynthesis was high and vice versa. Sugars accumulated although enzyme activities were decreased under deficiency. The results show that growth of P- and S-starved plants is not limited by photosynthetic reactions.     

Effect of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis upon uptake of cesium and other cations by plants

Pot experiments were set up to determine the species-specific uptake of cesium (Cs) by mycorrhizal (AM) and non-mycorrhizal (non-AM) plants. Using stable Cs and K application, side-effects of mineral fertilization (K) on AM development and uptake of Cs and the other cations Na, Ca and Mg were investigated. AM colonization by the fungus Glomus mosseae led to a significant decrease in shoot Cs content of Agrostis tenuis from the first (4 weeks) to the third harvest (8 weeks). With regard to the root system, statistically significant differences were observed from the first (4 weeks) to the second harvest (6 weeks). Supply of additional K produced a significant decrease in Cs uptake by both AM and non-AM plants over a 10-week period. In the case of AM plant shoots, K fertilization did not very effectively reduce Cs uptake by A. tenuis. Cs contents of fertilized AM roots were similar to non-AM controls. Potassium application resulted in an increase in K content and a slight reduction in Na and Mg contents of shoots and roots. Without K fertilization, the Na content of non-AM controls was significantly enhanced over AM shoots. Shoot and root Ca contents were generally higher without than with K addition. Negative side-effects of K fertilization as a countermeasure to Cs uptake were not observed in relation to AM development. The intensity of colonization by G. mosseae was not significantly depressed by K treatment. AM development in plants appeared to decrease Cs uptake, at least at moderate nutrient levels. It is possible that Cs is sequestered by AM extraradical fungal hyphae and consequently not transferred to the plant to the extent found in non-AM roots. Accepted: 6 November 2000     

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes during seasonal adaptations of carnivore fur animals

The seasonal and species-specific peculiarities in the ratio of enzyme electrophoretic fractions are revealed at separation on agar gel plates of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes from extracts of the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and blood serum of minks and polar foxes. The essential role of LDH isoenzymes is revealed in the system of ecological-biochemical adaptations in carnivore fur animals of different ecogenesis. Thus, in amphibionts of the martens family, the minks, in comparison with terrestrial carnivores, the polar foxes, the A-type subunits were characterized by their higher relative contents, while preserving the general organ specificity of the isoenzyme distribution. At the same time, the transition to winter conditions was expressed in the both animal species as an increase of the contents of B-type isoenzymes and a decrease of the anaerobiosis factor. All this confirms the ecological dependence of regulation of metabolism already at the molecular level.     

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes during seasonal adaptations of carnivore fur animals

The seasonal and species-specific peculiarities in the ratio of enzyme electrophoretic fractions are revealed at separation on agar gel plates of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzymes from extracts of the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and blood serum of minks and polar foxes. The essential role of LDH isoenzymes is revealed in the system of ecological-biochemical adaptations in carnivore fur animals of different ecogenesis. Thus, in amphibionts of the martens family, the minks, in comparison with terrestrial carnivores, the polar foxes, the A-type subunits were characterized by their higher relative contents, while preserving the general organ specificity of the isoenzyme distribution. At the same time, the transition to winter conditions was expressed in the both animal species as an increase of the contents of B-type isoenzymes and a decrease of the anaerobiosis factor. All this confirms the ecological dependence of regulation of metabolism already at the molecular level.     

The Chemical Elements of Planted Forest of Pinus tabnlaeformis

The concentration of chemical elements in the edifieator Pinus tabulaeformis of 28- aged pine plantation from leaves, small branches(< 1.5 cm diameter), branches (> 1.5 cm diameter) to trunk graduately declined. C was the most abundant element in pine plantation. The N content was more abundant in leaves, Ca, K, Mg. P were plentiful as well. The mineral content in small root (<2 cm diameter) was richer than that in root (>2 cm diameter). There were plenty of C, N, P. and Ca in the shrub layer, especially in the leaves of shrubs. The concentration of mineral elements in aboveground part of grasses was obviously lower than those in the leaves of shrubs. Comparing chemical elements of litter with those in living leaves and branches, the contents of Fe and A1 in the litter increased, the other elements more or less decreased. The accumulation of C in different layer of plantation except litter reached 22.43 t/ha, the accumulation amounts of Ca and N ranged 157–161 kg/ha. The retention of C in pine plantation was the highest among the elements, Ca retained in tree layer and N, K in shrub layer showed very plentiful also. Ca returned by litter was more than the others except C. The efficiency of P and K uptaked by plant from soil was high. To use the P and K fertilizers will accelerate the growth of Pine plantation.     

一个水青冈生态系统的土壤化学强度的研究

应用扁平溶度计考察了一个水青冈林(Fageta paupera)的重力土壤溶液,该森林位于克里尼奇克