局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响

通过向玉米幼苗分根装置一侧根室的营养液中加入聚乙二醇(PEG 6000)来模拟植物水分胁迫,并设3种供氮形态(硝态氮、铵态氮、两者各占50%的混合氮),且只加入到一侧根室(当氮加入到和PEG同侧时为水氮异区,加入到无PEG一侧时为水氮同区),测定各处理的光合、生理指标,以研究局部根区水分胁迫下氮形态与供给部位对玉米幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:同一氮形态供给下水氮同区植株的光合速率(Pn)、最大净光合速率(Pmax)、光饱和点(LSP)、CO2饱和点(CSP)、叶绿素a、b及叶绿素总含量、根系活力、氮含量和生物量高于水氮异区,光呼吸速率(Rp)、CO2补偿点(CCP)、木质部汁液脱落酸(ABA)浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率低于水氮异区;供混合氮和硝态氮的植株Pn、Pmax、LSP、CSP、氮含量和生物量高于供铵态氮的植株,而CCP、Rp、木质部汁液ABA浓度、氮利用效率、水分利用效率变化趋势则相反.可见,同一供氮形态下,水氮同区比水氮异区更利于植物生长,而水氮利用效率在水氮异区下较高;混合氮和硝态氮对植物生长的促进作用优于单一供给铵态氮,但铵态氮更有利于提高水氮利用效率.     

Foliar application of nitrate or ammonium as sole nitrogen supply in Ricinus communis. II. The flows of cations, chloride and abscisic acid

Following a precultivation with pedospheric nitrogen nutrition, Ricinus plants were supplied with nitrogen solely by spraying nitrate or ammonium solution onto the leaves during the experimental period. The chemical composition of tissues, xylem and phloem exudates was determined and on the basis of the previously determined nitrogen flows (Peuke et al., New Phytologist (1998), 138 , 657–687) the flows of potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and ABA were modelled. These data, which permit quantification of net-uptake, transport in xylem and phloem, and utilization in shoot and root, were compared with results obtained in plants with pedospherically-supplied nitrate or ammonium and data in the literature. Although the overall effects on the chemical composition of supplying ammonium to the leaves were not as pronounced as in pedospherically supplied plants, there were some typical responses of plants fed with ammonium (ammonium syndrome). In particular, in ammonium-sprayed plants uptake and transport of magnesium decreased and chloride uptake was increased compared with nitrate-sprayed plants. Furthermore, acropetal ABA transport in the xylem in ammonium-sprayed Ricinus was threefold higher than in nitrate-sprayed plants. Additionally, concentrations of anions were more or less increased in tissues, particularly in the roots, and transport fluids. The overall signal from ammonium-sprayed leaves without a direct effect of ammonium ions on uptake and transport systems in the root is discussed.     

Chloroplast downsizing under nitrate nutrition restrained mesophyll conductance and photosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) under drought conditions

The phenomenon whereby ammonium enhances the tolerance of rice seedlings (Oryza sativa L., cv. 'Shanyou 63' hybrid indica China) to water stress has been reported in previous studies. To study the intrinsic mechanism of biomass synthesis related to photosynthesis, hydroponic experiments supplying different nitrogen (N) forms were conducted; water stress was simulated by the addition of polyethylene glycol. Water stress decreased leaf water potential (Ψ(leaf)) under nitrate nutrition, while it had no negative effect under ammonium nutrition. The decreased Ψ(leaf) under nitrate nutrition resulted in chloroplast downsizing and subsequently decreased mesophyll conductance to CO(2) (g(m)). The decreased g(m) and stomatal conductance (g(s)) under nitrate nutrition with water stress restrained the CO(2) supply to the chloroplast and Rubisco. The relatively higher distribution of leaf N to Rubisco under ammonium nutrition might also be of benefit for photosynthesis under water stress. In conclusion, chloroplast downsizing induced a decline in g(m), a relatively higher decrease in g(s) under nitrate nutrition with water stress, restrained the CO(2) supply to Rubisco and finally decreased the photosynthetic rate.     

Translocation of nitrogen in osmotically stressed wheat seedlings

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Drabant) seedlings were grown in a ‘split root’ system where either the whole root system or one root half was subjected to osmotic stress for 24 h, using 200 g polyethylene glycol (PEG, molecular weight 4000) dm^?3 nutrient solution. ¹⁵N-Labelled nitrate was fed to one of the root compartments and total N and ¹⁵N-labelling were measured in plant material and xylem sap. Untreated plants translocated 87% of the N taken up to the shoot, and 10% of this was then retranslocated back to the root. Recalculated on a root nitrogen basis, 36% of the label recovered in the root after 24 h had passed through the shoot. Significant labelling of xylem sap collected from non-labelled roots indicated cycling of organic N through the roots. PEG-treatment of the whole root system caused significant water loss in both roots and shoots. Uptake of nitrate and retranslocation of N to roots were inhibited, whereas cycling of organic nitrogen through the root was still measurable. Treatment of half the root system with PEG had minor effects on shoot water content, but reduced the water content of the treated root part. The total uptake of nitrate by the root system was unaffected, and the effect on the treated root half was comparatively small. Nitrate reductase activity (NRA) declined in PEG-treated roots even if high nitrate uptake rates were maintained. Shoot NRA was unaffected by osmotic stress. The data indicate that the reduction in water content of the root per se has only small effects on nitrate uptake. Major inhibition of nitrate uptake was observed only after treatment of a sufficiently large portion of the root system to given an effect on shoot water content.     

不同氮素形态及水分胁迫对水稻苗期水分吸收、光合作用及生长的影响

采用室内营养液培养,聚乙二醇（PEG6000）模拟水分胁迫处理、HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性的方法,在3种供氮形态下（NH4^＋-N／NO36-N为100／0、50／50和0／100）,研究了水稻苗期水分吸收、光合及生长的状况。结果表明,在非水分胁迫下,水稻单位干重吸水量以单一供NO3^--N处理最高,加HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性后,单一供NO3^--N、NH4^＋-N和NH4^＋-N／NO3^--N为50,50处理的水稻水分吸收分别下降了9．6％、20．7％和16．0％;但在水分胁迫下,单一供N03^--N的处理水分吸收量显著降低,低于其它2个处理,加HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性后,水分吸收量分别降低了1．0％、18．8％和23．5％。在2种水分条件（水分胁迫与非水分胁迫）下,净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和细胞间隙CO2浓度等指标均以单一供NH4^＋-N处理最大,NH4^＋-N／NO3^--N为50,50处理次之,单一供NO3^--N处理最小。HgCl2处理结果表明,不同形态氮素营养能够影响水稻幼苗根系水通道蛋白活性。在2种水分条件下,NH4^＋-N／N03^--N为50,50处理的生物量（干重）均最大。本研究为水稻苗期合理施肥以壮苗提供了理论依据。     

不同氮素形态及水分胁迫对水稻苗期水分吸收、光合作用及生长的影响

采用室内营养液培养, 聚乙二醇(PEG6000)模拟水分胁迫处理、HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性的方法, 在3种供氮形态下(NH4+-N/ NO 3--N为100/0、50/50和0/100), 研究了水稻苗期水分吸收、光合及生长的状况。结果表明, 在非水分胁迫下, 水稻单位干重吸水量以单一供NO3--N处理最高, 加HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性后, 单一供NO3--N、NH4+-N和NH4+-N/ NO3--N为50/50处理的水稻水分吸收分别下降了9.6%、20.7%和16.0%; 但在水分胁迫下, 单一供NO3--N的处理水分吸收量显著降低, 低于其它2个处理, 加HgCl2抑制水通道蛋白活性后, 水分吸收量分别降低了1.0%、18.8%和23.5%。在2种水分条件(水分胁迫与非水分胁迫)下, 净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率和细胞间隙CO2浓度等指标均以单一供NH4+-N处理最大,NH4+-N/ NO3--N为50/50处理次之, 单一供NO3--N处理最小。HgCl2处理结果表明, 不同形态氮素营养能够影响水稻幼苗根系水通道蛋白活性。在2种水分条件下, NH4+-N/ NO3--N为50/50处理的生物量(干重)均最大。本研究为水稻苗期合理施肥以壮苗提供了理论依据。     

How the roots contribute to the ability of Phaseolus vulgaris L. to cope with chilling-induced water stress

Intact plants and stem-girdled plants of Phaseolus vulgaris grown hydroponically were exposed to 5 degrees C for up to 4 d; stem girdling was used to inhibit the phloem transport from the leaves to the roots. After initial water stress, stomatal closure and an amelioration of root water transport properties allowed the plants to rehydrate and regain turgor. Chilling augmented the concentration of abscisic acid (ABA) content in leaves, roots and xylem sap. In intact plants stomatal closure and leaf ABA accumulation were preceded by a slight alkalinization of xylem sap, but they occurred earlier than any increase in xylem ABA concentration could be detected. Stem girdling did not affect the influence of chilling on plant water relations and leaf ABA content, but it reduced slightly the alkalinization of xylem sap and, principally, prevented the massive ABA accumulation in root tissues and the associated transport in the xylem that was observed in non-girdled plants. When the plants were defoliated just prior to chilling or after 10 h at 5 degrees C, root and xylem sap ABA concentration remained unchanged throughout the whole stress period. When the plants were chilled under conditions preventing the occurrence of leaf water deficit (i.e. at 100% relative humidity), there were no significant variations in endogenous ABA levels. The increase in root hydraulic conductance in chilled plants was a response neither to root ABA accretion, nor to some leaf-borne chemical signal transported downwards in the phloem, nor to low temperature per se, as indicated by the results of the experiments with defoliated or girdled plants and with plants chilled at 100% relative humidity. It was concluded that the root system contributed substantially to the bean's ability to cope with chilling-induced water stress, but not in an ABA-dependent manner.     

Role of Pressure in Xylem Transport of Coconut and Other Palms

The significance of root pressure in the transport of xylem sap has been investigated in Cocos nucifera L. and a few other palms. Despite the fact that excised palm roots can generate considerable pressures in situ, the quantity of water transported is only a small fraction of the demand resulting from transpiration. Most water transport is induced by negative pressure gradients, as in other higher plants. The development of considerable negative pressures has been demonstrated both directly and indirectly. Acoustic detection was used for the first time to monitor cavitation in water-stressed Cocos leaves. Its detection implies the ready disruption of xylem sap under these tensions. We suggest that root pressure might serve to refill cavitated xylem conduits when water is abundantly available and transpiration practically zero. However, little or no positive pressure could be demonstrated in intact palms subjected to low water stress: experimentally.     

Effects of synthetic plant growth retardants and abscisic acid on root functions of Brassica rapa plants exposed to low root-zone temperature

Possible interactions of two synthetic plant-growth retardants during the short-term response of Brassica rapa L. ssp. oleifera (DC.) Metzger plants to low root-zone temperature were investigated by pretreating with mefluidide or paclobutrazol. Water and solute transfers were studied by measuring xylem sap volume flow (under root pressure exudation) and ion flow from the roots. Relations with nitrate uptake rate were also considered. Root pretreatment with paclobutrazol strongly restricted the cold-inducible processes which normally restore water and solute flow from the root xylem. Paclobutrazol decreased the rates of nitrate uptake and exudation flow from the root xylem (principally by reducing root hydraulic conductivity) with dramatic consequences for ion flow, especially that of nitrate.
The effects of root ABA pretreatment on plant response to root cooling were then studied separately or in association with a pretreatment with paclobutrazol. Despite a slight decrease in nitrate uptake rate, ABA pretreatment of the roots enabled the plant to develop rapid mechanisms for adaptation to cold constraint at the root level. Moreover, this action of exogenous ABA greatly reduced the effect of a simultaneous paclobutrazol pretreatment and partly restored water and solute flows.
Thus, the improvement of plant resistance to cold conditions brought about by treatments with mefluidide and paclobutrazol (previously shown in long-term experiments) cannot simply be explained by their short-term effects.     

Aerenchyma Formed Under Phosphorus Deficiency Contributes to the Reduced Root Hydraulic Conductivity in Maize Roots

Root hydraulic conductivity has been shown to decrease under phosphorus （P） deficiency. This study Investigated how the formation of aerenchyma is related to this change. Root anatomy, as well as root hydraulic conductivity was studied In maize （Zea mays L.） roots under different phosphorus nutrition conditions. Plant roots under P stress showed enhanced degradation of cortical cells and the aerenchyma formation was associated with their reduced root hydraulic conductivity, supporting our hypothesis that air spaces that form in the cortex of phosphorusstressed roots Impede the radial transport of water in a root cylinder. Further evidence came from the variation In aerenchyma formation due to genotypic differences. Five maize inbred lines with different porosity in their root cortex showed a significant negative correlation with their root hydraulic conductivity. Shoot relative water content was also found lower In P-deficient maize plants than that in P-sufficient ones when such treatment was prolonged enough, suggesting a limitation of water transport due to lowered root hydraulic conductivity of P-deficient plants.     

Export of Abscisic Acid, 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid,Phosphate, and Nitrate from Roots to Shoots of Flooded Tomato Plants (Accounting for Effects of Xylem Sap Flow Rate on Concentration and Delivery)

We determined whether root stress alters the output of physiologically active messages passing from roots to shoots in the transpiration stream. Concentrations were not good measures of output. This was because changes in volume flow of xylem sap caused either by sampling procedures or by effects of root stress on rates of whole-plant transpiration modified concentrations simply by dilution. Thus, delivery rate (concentration x sap flow rate) was preferred to concentration as a measure of solute output from roots. To demonstrate these points, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), abscisic acid, phosphate, nitrate, and pH were measured in xylem sap of flooded and well-drained tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv Ailsa Craig) plants expressed at various rates from pressurized detopped roots. Concentrations decreased as sap flow rates were increased. However, dilution of solutes was often less than proportional to flow, especially in flooded plants. Thus, sap flowing through detopped roots at whole-plant transpiration rates was used to estimate solute delivery rates in intact plants. On this basis, delivery of ACC from roots to shoots was 3.1-fold greater in plants flooded for 24 h than in well-drained plants, and delivery of phosphate was 2.3-fold greater. Delivery rates of abscisic acid and nitrate in flooded plants were only 11 and 7%, respectively, of those in well-drained plants.     

How do salinity and water stress affect transport of water,assimilates and ions to tomato fruits?

The study was conducted in order to determine whether water stress affects the accumulation of dry matter in tomato fruits similarly to salinity, and whether the increase in fruit dry matter content is solely a result of the decrease in water content. Although the rate of water transport to tomato fruits decreased throughout the entire season in saline water irrigated plants, accumulation rates of dry matter increased significantly. Phloem water transport contributed 80–85% of the total water transport in the control and water-stressed plants, and over 90% under salinity. The concentration of organic compounds in the phloem sap was increased by 40% by salinity. The rate of ions transported via the xylem was also significantly increased by salinity, but their contribution to fruit osmotic adjustment was less. The rate of fruit transpiration was also markedly reduced by salinity. Water stress also decreased the rate of water transport to the tomato fruit and increased the rate of dry matter accumulation, but much less than salinity. The similar changes, 10–15%, indicate that the rise in dry matter accumulation was a result of the decrease in water transport. Other parameters such as fruit transpiration rates, phloem and xylem sap concentration, relative transport via phloem and xylem, solutes contributing to osmotic adjustment of fruits and leaves, were only slightly affected by water stress. The smaller response of these parameters to water stress as compared to salinity could not be attributed to milder stress intensity, as leaf water potential was found to be more negative. Measuring fruit growth of girdled trusses, in which phloem flow was inactive, and comparing it with ungirdled trusses validated the mechanistic model. The relative transport of girdled as compared to ungirdled fruits resembled the calculated values of xylem transport.     

Root-shoot interactions in mineral nutrition

In this paper four classes of co-operative root-shoot interations are addressed. (I) Nitrogen concentrations in the xylem sap originating from the root and in the phloem sap as exported from source leaves are much lower than those required for growth by apices and developing organs. Enrichment of xylem sap N is achieved by xylem to xylem (X-X) transfer, by which reduced N, but not nitrate, is abstracted from the xylem of leaf traces and loaded into xylem vessels serving the shoot apex. Nitrogen enrichment of phloem sap from source leaves is enacted by transfer of reduced N from xylem to phloem (X-P transfer). Quantitative data for the extent of the contribution of X-X and X-P transfer to the nutrition of young organs of Ricinus communis L. and for their change with time are presented. (II) Shoot and root cooperate in nitrate reduction and assimilation. The partitioning of this process between shoot and root is shifted towards the root under conditions of nitrate- and K-deficiency and under salt stress, while P deficiency shifts nitrate reduction almost totally to the shoot. All four changes in partitioning can be attributed to the need for cation-anion balance during xylem transport and the change in electrical charge occurring with nitrate reduction. (III) Even maintenance of the specificity of ion uptake by the root may – in addition to its need for energy – require a shoot-root interaction. This is shown to be needed in the case of the maintenance of K/Na selectivity under the highly adverse condition of salt stress and absence of K supply from the soil. (IV) Hormonal root to shoot interactions are required in the whole plant for sensing mineral imbalances in the soil. This is shown and addressed for conditions of salt stress and of P deficiency, both of which lead to a strong ABA signalling from root to shoot but result in different patterns of response in the shoot.     

Dynamics of concentrations and nutrient fluxes in the xylem of Ricinus communis– diurnal course, impact of nutrient availability and nutrient uptake

Diurnal courses of nutrient transport in the xylem and their response to external availability of nutrients were studied. In soil culture, maximal concentrations in all analysed substances were observed during night‐time. Over experimental periods of up to 20 d, concentrations of some ions increased, most by accumulation in the soil. Stringent nutrient conditions were established in a novel pressure chamber. An aeroponic nutrient delivery system inside allows the sampling of xylem sap from intact plants under full control of the nutrient conditions at the root. Analysis of xylem transport under these highly defined conditions established that (1) diurnal variations in concentrations and fluxes in the xylem are dominated by plant‐internal processes; (2) concentrations of nutrients in the xylem sap are highly but specifically correlated with each other; (3) nitrate uptake and nitrate flux to the shoot are largely uncoupled; and (4) in continuous light, diurnal variations of xylem sap concentrations vanish. Step changes in nitrate concentrations of the nutrient solution established that (5) the concomitant increase in nitrate concentration and flux in the xylem is delayed by 2–3 h and is only transient. Diurnal variations of xylem sap composition and use of the new technique to elucidate xylem‐transport mechanisms are discussed.     

Na^＋ and Water Uptake in Relation to the Radial Reflection Coefficient of Root in Arrowleaf Saltbush Under Salt Stress

The response of halophyte arrowleaf saltbush (Atriplex triangularis Willd) plants to a gradient of salt stress were investigated with hydroponically cultured seedlings. Under salt stress, both the Na+ uptake into root xylem and negative pressures in xylem vessels increased with the elevation of salinity (up to 500 mol/m3) in the root environment. However, the increment in negative pressures in root xylem far from matches the decrease in the osmotic potential of the root bathing solutions, even when the osmotic potential of xylem sap is taken into consideration. The total water potential of xylem sap in arrowleaf saltbush roots was close to the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions when the salt stress was low, but a progressively increased gap between the water potential of xylem sap and the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions was observed when the salinity in the root environment was enhanced. The maximum gap was 1.4 MPa at a salinity level of 500 mol/m3 without apparent dehydration of the tested plants. This discrepancy could not be explained with the current theories in plant physiology. The radial reflection coefficient of root in arrowleaf saltbush decreased with the enhanced salt stress was and accompanied by an increase in the Na+ uptake into xylem sap. However, the relative Na+ in xylem exudates based on the corresponding NaCl concentration in the root bathing solutions showed a tendency of decrease. The results showed that the reduction in the radial reflection coefficient of roots in the arrowleaf saltbush did not lead to a mass influx of NaCl into xylem when the radial reflection coefficient of the root was considerably small; and that arrowleaf saltbush could use small xylem pressures to counterbalance the salt stresses, either with the uptake of large amounts of salt, or with the development of xylem pressures dangerously negative. This strategy could be one of the mechanisms behind the high resistance of arrowleaf saltbush plants to salt stress.     

The Distribution of Nitrate Assimilation Between Root and Shoot in Vicia faba L.

Nitrate assimilation was examined in two cultivars (Banner Winterand Herz Freya) of Vicia faba L. supplied with a range of nitrateconcentrations. The distribution between root and shoot wasassessed. The cultivars showed responses to increased applied nitrateconcentration. Total plant dry weight and carbon content remainedconstant while shoot: root dry weight ratio, total plant nitrogen,total plant leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA) all increased.The proportion of total plant nitrate and nitrate reductase(NR) activity found in the shoot of both cultivars increasedwith applied nitrate concentrations as did NO₃^–: Kjeldahl-Nratios of xylem sap. The cultivars differed in that a greaterproportion of total plant NR activity occurred in the shootof cv. Herz Freya at all applied nitrate concentrations, andits xylem sap NO₃^–: Kjeldahl-N ratio and SLA were consistentlygreater. It is concluded that the distribution of nitrate assimilationbetween root and shoot of V. faba varies both with cultivarand with external nitrate concentration. Vicia faba L., field bean, nitrate assimilation, nitrate reductase, xylem sap analysis     

Na~ and Water Uptake in Relation to the Radial Reflection Coefficient of Root in Arrowleaf Saltbush Under Salt Stress

The response of halophyte arrowleaf saltbush(Atriplex triangularis Willd)plants to a gradient of salt stress were investigatedwith hydroponically cultured seedlings.Under salt stress,both the Na~ uptake into root xylem and negative pressures inxylem vessels increased with the elevation of salinity(up to 500 mol/m~3)in the root environment.However,the increment innegative pressures in root xylem far from matches the decrease in the osmotic potential of the root bathing solutions,evenwhen the osmotic potential of xylem sap is taken into consideration.The total water potential of xylem sap in arrowleafsaltbush roots was close to the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions when the salt stress was low,but a progressivelyincreased gap between the water potential of xylem sap and the osmotic potential of root bathing solutions was observedwhen the salinity in the root environment was enhanced.The maximum gap was 1.4 MPa at a salinity level of 500 mol/m~3without apparent dehydration of the tested plants.This discrepancy could not be explained with the current theories inplant physiology.The radial reflection coefficient of root in arrowleaf saltbush decreased with the enhanced salt stress wasand accompanied by an increase in the Na~ uptake into xylem sap.However,the relative Na~ in xylem exudates based onthe corresponding NaCl concentration in the root bathing solutions showed a tendency of decrease.The results showedthat the reduction in the radial reflection coefficient of roots in the arrowleaf saltbush did not lead to a mass influx of NaClinto xylem when the radial reflection coefficient of the root was considerably small;and that arrowleaf saltbush could usesmall xylem pressures to counterbalance the salt stresses,either with the uptake of large amounts of salt,or with thedevelopment of xylem pressures dangerously negative.This strategy could be one of the mechanisms behind the highresistance of arrowleaf saltbush plants to salt stress.     

Silicon deposition in the root reduces sodium uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings by reducing bypass flow

Sodium chloride reduces the growth of rice seedlings, which accumulate excessive concentrations of sodium and chloride ions in their leaves. In this paper, we describe how silicon decreases transpirational bypass flow and ion concentrations in the xylem sap in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings growing under NaCl stress. Salt (50 mM NaCl) reduced the growth of shoots and roots: adding silicate (3 mM) to the saline culture solution improved the growth of the shoots, but not roots. The improvement of shoot growth in the presence of silicate was correlated with reduced sodium concentration in the shoot. The net transport rate of Na from the root to shoot (expressed per unit of root mass) was also decreased by added silicate. There was, however, no effect of silicate on the net transport of potassium. Furthermore, in salt-stressed plants, silicate did not decrease the transpiration, and even increased it in seedlings pre-treated with silicate for 7 d prior to salt treatment, indicating that the reduction of sodium uptake by silicate was not simply through a reduction in volume flow from root to shoot. Experiments using trisodium-8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulphonic acid (PTS), an apoplastic tracer, showed that silicate dramatically decreased transpirational bypass flow in rice (from about 4.2 to 0.8%), while the apparent sodium concentration in the xylem, which was estimated indirectly from the flux data, decreased from 6.2 to 2.8 mM. Direct measurements of the concentration of sodium in xylem sap sampled using Philaenus spumarius confirmed that the apparent reduction was not a consequence of sodium recycling. X-ray microanalysis showed that silicon was deposited in the outer part of the root and in the endodermis, being more obvious in the latter than in the former. The results suggest that silicon deposition in the exodermis and endodermis reduced sodium uptake in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under NaCl stress through a reduction in apoplastic transport across the root.     

Nitrogen Assimilation in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Mazurka) in Response to Nitrate and Ammonium Nutrition

Barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Mazurka) were grown inaerated solution cultures with 2 mM or 8 mM inorganic nitrogensupplied as nitrate alone, ammonium alone or 1:1 nitrate+ammonium.Activities of the principal inorganic nitrogen assimilatoryenzymes and nitrogen transport were measured. Activities ofnitrate and nitrite reductases, glutamine synthetase and glutamatesynthase were greater in leaves than in roots but glutamatedehydrogenase was most active in roots. Only nitrate and nitritereductases changed notably (4–10 times) in response tothe different nitrogen treatments. Nitrate reductase appearedto be rate-limiting for nitrate assimilation to glutamate inroots and also in leaves, where its total in vitro activitywas closely related to nitrate flux in the xylem sap and wasslightly in excess of that needed to reduce the transportednitrate. Xylem nitrate concentration was 13 times greater thanthat in the nutrient solution. Ammonium nitrogen was assimilatedalmost completely in the roots and the small amount releasedinto the xylem sap was similar for the nitrate and the ammoniumtreatments. The presence of ammonium in the nutrient decreasedboth export of nitrate to the xylem and its accumulation inleaves and roots. Nitrate was stored in stem bases and was releasedto the xylem and thence to the leaves during nitrogen starvation.In these experiments, ammonium was assimilated principally inthe roots and nitrate in the leaves. Any advantage of this divisionof function may depend partly on total conversion of inorganicnitrogen to amino acids when nitrate and ammonium are givenin optimal concentrations. Hordeum vulgare L., barley, nitrate, ammonium, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase, glutamate dehydrogenase, nitrogen transport