A hierarchical analysis of the interactive effects of elevated CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and water availability on the nitrogen and transpiration productivities of velvet mesquite seedlings

In this study we apply new extensions of classical growth analysis to assess the interactive effects of elevated CO₂ and differences in water availability on the leaf-nitrogen and transpiration productivities of velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina Woot.) seedlings. The models relate transpiration productivity (biomass gained per mass of water transpired per day) and leaf-nitrogen productivity (biomass gain per unit leaf N per day) to whole-plant relative growth rate (RGR) and to each other, allowing a comprehensive hierarchical analysis of how physiological and morphological responses to the treatments interact with each other to affect plant growth. Elevated CO₂ led to highly significant increases in N and transpiration productivities but reduced leaf N per unit leaf area and transpiration per unit leaf area, resulting in no net effect of CO₂ on the RGR of seedlings. In contrast, higher water availability led to an increase in leaf-tissue thickness or density without affecting leaf N concentration, resulting in a higher leaf N per unit leaf area and consequently a higher assimilatory capacity per unit leaf area. The net effect was a marginal increase in seedling RGR. Perhaps most important from an ecological perspective was a 41% reduction in whole-plant water use due to elevated CO₂. These results demonstrate that even in the absence of CO₂ effects on integrative measures of plant growth such as RGR, highly significant effects may be observed at the physiological and morphological level that effectively cancel each other out. The quantitative framework presented here enables some of these tradeoffs to be identified and related directly to each other and to plant growth.     

Uniconazole (S-3307) strengthens the growth and cadmium accumulation of accumulator plant Malachium aquaticum

The effects of uniconazole (S-3307) application on the growth and cadmium (Cd) accumulation of accumulator plant Malachium aquaticum (L.) Fries. were studied through a pot experiment. The application of S-3307 increased the biomass and photosynthetic pigment content of M. aquaticum in Cd-contaminated soil, and also improved the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities in M. aquaticum. Application of S-3307 increased Cd content in shoots and decreased Cd content in roots of M. aquaticum, but the translocation factor (TF) of M. aquaticum increased with the increase of S-3307 concentration. For phytoextraction, the application of S-3307 increased Cd extractions by roots, shoots and whole plants of M. aquaticum, and the maxima were obtained at 75 mg L^?1 S-3307, which increased by 22.07%, 37.79% and 29.07%, respectively, compared with their respective controls. Therefore, S-3307 can be used for enhancing the Cd extraction ability of M. aquaticum, and 75 mg L^?1 S-3307 was the optimal dose.     

Effects, distribution and uptake of silicon in banana (Musa spp.) under controlled conditions

Three contrasted genotypes of Musa spp. (M. acuminata cv Grande Naine, M. acuminata spp. Banksii and M. balbisiana spp. Tani) were grown for 6 weeks under optimal conditions in hydroponics and were submitted to a wide range of Si supply (0–1.66 mM Si) to quantify the Si uptake and distribution in banana, as well as the effect of Si on banana growth. The level of Si supply did not affect plant growth, nor the rate of water and nutrient uptake. The rate of Si uptake and the Si concentration in plant tissues increased markedly with the Si supply. At the highest Si concentrations (1.66 mM), silicon absorption was essentially driven by mass flow of water (passive transport). However, at lower Si concentrations (0.02–0.83 mM), it was higher than its uptake by mass flow and caused the depletion of silicon in the nutrient solution, suggesting the existence of active processes in silicon transport. The distribution of silicon among shoot organs (pseudostem < petiole and midrib < young lamina < old leaf) confirmed the major role of transpiration in silicon accumulation and was not dependent on silicon supply. However, other mechanisms of transport might be operating in the roots and in the petiole and midrib of young leaves, whose silicon concentration was unexpectedly high at low Si supply (0.02 mM) compared to higher levels of Si. The three genotypes did not exhibit consistent differences in their responses to silicon supply.     

The importance of nutritional regulation of plant water flux

Transpiration is generally considered a wasteful but unavoidable consequence of photosynthesis, occurring because water is lost when stomata open for CO₂ uptake. Additionally, transpiration has been ascribed the functions of cooling leaves, driving root to shoot xylem transport and mass flow of nutrients through the soil to the rhizosphere. As a consequence of the link between nutrient mass flow and transpiration, nutrient availability, particularly that of NO₃ ⁻, partially regulates plant water flux. Nutrient regulation of transpiration may function through the concerted regulation of: (1) root hydraulic conductance through control of aquaporins by NO₃ ⁻, (2) shoot stomatal conductance (g _s) through NO production, and (3) pH and phytohormone regulation of g _s. These mechanisms result in biphasic responses of water flux to NO₃ ⁻ availability. The consequent trade-off between water and nutrient flux has important implications for understanding plant distributions, for production of water use-efficient crops and for understanding the consequences of global-change-linked CO₂ suppression of transpiration for plant nutrient acquisition.     

Influences of water column nutrient loading on growth characteristics of the invasive aquatic macrophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myriophyllum aquaticum</Emphasis> (Vell.) Verdc.

Nuisance growth of Myriophyllum aquaticum has often been attributed to high amounts of nutrients. The uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus from sediments and their allocation have been documented in both natural and laboratory populations. However, nutrient loading to surface water is increasingly becoming an important issue for water quality standards. Aquatic macrophytes that develop adventitious roots may be able to survive through the uptake of water column nutrients. Our objectives for this study were to assess M. aquaticum growth when combinations of nitrogen and phosphorus were added to the water column. Mesocosm experiments were conducted where nitrogen (1.8, 0.8, and 0.4 mg l⁻¹; high, medium, and low) and phosphorus (0.09, 0.03, 0.01 mg l⁻¹; high, medium, and low) concentrations were paired and added to the water column. After 12 weeks, the combination of 1.80:0.01 N:P resulted in greater (P < 0.01) total biomass and greater biomass for all plant tissues. Total biomass at the 1.80:0.01 N:P combination was 53% greater than biomass at all other combinations. The yield response of M. aquaticum was a quadratic function of tissue nutrient content. Yield was positively (r ² = 0.82) related to increasing nitrogen content, whereas a negative (r ² = 0.89) relationship was determined for increasing phosphorus content. We propose the negative relationship is due to increased nutrient competition and shading by algae resulting in reduced M. aquaticum growth. Tissue nutrient content indicated that critical concentrations (1.8% nitrogen and 0.2% phosphorus) for growth were not attained except for nitrogen in plants grown in the 1.80:0.01 N:P combination. These data provide further evidence that M. aquaticum requires high levels of nitrogen to achieve nuisance growth. Survival through uptake of water column nutrients may be a mechanism for survival during adverse conditions, a means of long distance dispersal of fragments, or may offer a competitive advantage over species that rely on sediment nutrients.     

Effect of soil drying on growth,biomass allocation and leaf gas exchange of two annual grass species

Influence of short-term water stress on plant growth and leaf gas exchange was studied simultaneously in a growth chamber experiment using two annual grass species differing in photosynthetic pathway type, plant architecture and phenology:Triticum aestivum L. cv. Katya-A-1 (C₃, a drought resistant wheat cultivar of erect growth) andTragus racemosus (L.) All. (C₄, a prostrate weed of warm semiarid areas). At the leaf level, gas exchange rates declined with decreasing soil water potential for both species in such a way that instantaneous photosynthetic water use efficiency (PWUE, mmol CO₂ assimilated per mol H₂O transpired) increased. At adequate water supply, the C₄ grass showed much lower stomatal conductance and higher PWUE than the C₃ species, but this difference disappeared at severe water stress when leaf gas exchange rates were similarly reduced for both species. However, by using soil water more sparingly, the C₄ species was able to assimilate under non-stressful conditions for a longer time than the C₃ wheat did. At the whole-plant level, decreasing water availability substantially reduced the relative growth rate (RGR) ofT. aestivum, while biomass partitioning changed in favour of root growth, so that the plant could exploit the limiting water resource more efficiently. The change in partitioning preceded the overall reduction of RGR and it was associated with increased biomass allocation to roots and less to leaves, as well as with a decrease in specific leaf area. Water saving byT. racemosus sufficiently postponed water stress effects on plant growth occurring only as a moderate reduction in leaf area enlargement. For unstressed vegetative plants, relative growth rate of the C₄ T. racemosus was only slightly higher than that of the C₃ T. aestivum, though it was achieved at a much lower water cost. The lack of difference in RGR was probably due to growth conditions being relatively suboptimal for the C₄ plant and also to a relatively large investment in stem tissues by the C₄ T. racemosus. Only 10% of the plant biomass was allocated to roots in the C₄ species while this was more than 30% for the C₃ wheat cultivar. These results emphasize the importance of water saving and high WUE of C₄ plants in maintaining growth under moderate water stress in comparison with C₃ species.     

Transpiration does not control growth and nutrient supply in the amphibious plant Mentha aquatica

Mentha aquatica L. was grown at different nutrient availabilities in water and in air at 60% RH. The plants were kept at 600 mmol m^?3 free CO₂ dissolved in water (40 times air equilibrium) and at 30 mmol m^?3 CO₂ in air to ensure CO₂ saturation of growth in both environments. We quantified the transpiration-independent water transport from root to shoot in submerged plants relative to the transpiration stream in emergent plants and tested the importance of transpiration in sustaining nutrient flux and shoot growth. The acropetal water flow was substantial in submerged Mentha aquatica, reaching 14% of the transpiration stream in emergent plants. The transpiration-independent mass flow of water from the roots, measured by means of tritiated water, was diverted to leaves and adventitious shoots in active growth. The plants grew well and at the same rates in water and air, but nutrient fluxes to the shoot were greater in plants grown in air than in those that were submerged when they were rooted in fertile sediments. Restricted O₂ supply to the roots of submerged plants may account for the smaller nutrient concentrations, though these exceeded the levels required to saturate growth. In hydroponics, the root medium was aerated and circulated between submerged and emergent plants to minimize differences in medium chemistry, and here the two growth forms behaved similarly and could fully exploit nutrient enrichment. It is concluded that the lack of transpiration from leaf surfaces in a vapour-saturated atmosphere, or under water, is not likely to constrain the transfer of nutrients from root to shoot in herbaceous plants. Nutrient deficiency under these environmental conditions is more likely to derive from restricted development and function of the roots in waterlogged anoxic soils or from low porewater concentrations of nutrients.     

Changes in Transpiration, Net Carbon Dioxide Assimilation and Leaf Water Potential Resulting from Application of Hydrostatic Pressure to Roots of Intact Pepper Plants

Hydrostatic pressures varying from 0 to 6.0 bar were applied to roots of intact Capsicum annuum L. cv. California Wonder plants growing in nutrient solution and the rates of transpiration, and net CO₂ assimilation, apparent compensation point and leaf water potential measured. Increasing the pressure on the roots of plants with roots in solution with either -0.5 or -5.0 bar osmotic potential with 1 bar increments resulted in a decrease in transpiration. With the application of 1 or 2 bar pressure the rate of transpiration returned to near or above the original rate. An application of 3 or 4 bar pressure reduced the rate of transpiration of all plants. The transpiration of plants with roots in solution with -0.5 bar osmotic potential remained at the reduced rate for as long as these pressures were maintained. The transpiration of plants with roots in solution with -5.0 bar was only temporarily suppressed at these pressures. Changing the applied pressure from 3 or 4 bar to 0 resulted in a rapid increase in transpiration which lasted approximately 15 minutes. This was followed by a decrease in transpiration to a rate lower than before the pressure was applied. The pattern of response was similar for plants at low or high light intensity or at normal or low CO₂ concentrations. When leaf diffusive resistance was 6.0 s cm^?1 or greater, changes in net CO₂ assimilation were similar to those of transpiration. The apparent CO₂ compensation point increased as pressure was applied and decreased with a release in pressure. Leaf water potential increased with an increase in pressure and decreased with a decrease in pressure. The changes in leaf water potential were frequently but not always proportional to changes in pressure. It is postulated that the respouses noted were due to changes in resistance to flow of water from xylem terminals through the mesophyll cells and stomatal cavities to the atmosphere.     

铜锌复合污染对铜富集植物大聚藻抗氧化酶活性的影响

以前期筛选的铜富集植物大聚藻为材料,采用两因素随机区组试验设计,通过盆栽试验研究了不同浓度铜锌复合污染对大聚藻抗氧化酶活性的影响,以揭示铜富集植物大聚藻对重金属的耐性机理,为芦溪河及其它类似污染河流的生态恢复与植被重建提供参考依据。结果表明:(1)铜锌复合污染条件下,大聚藻生物量都表现出低促高抑现象。(2)铜锌复合污染时,大聚藻MDA含量随铜锌浓度升高表现出先升高后降低的变化。(3)铜锌复合污染对大聚藻抗氧化酶系统活性均有不同程度的影响,低浓度铜锌复合污染对SOD(超氧化物歧化酶)、POD(过氧化物酶)和CAT(过氧化氢酶)有促进作用,而随浓度的升高则表现出不同的规律。研究发现,铜锌胁迫下,大聚藻细胞应急防御系统被启动,SOD、POD和CAT发挥作用,体内过量自由基及时被清除,使大聚藻能够保持高的耐性。     

Control of relative growth rate by application of the relative addition rate technique to a traditional solution culture system

The relative addition rate (RAR) technique allows the nutritional control of plant relative growth rate (RGR) by the provision of nutrients at exponential supply rates. The technique, however, was developed with technologically sophisticated aeroponic systems. In this paper, we report on experiments used to adapt the RAR technique to a conventional solution culture system. A background concentration requirement of 36 μM nitrogen (N), with other nutrients supplied in proportion to N, was necessary to produce a constant RGR of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) at a low RAR. Solution pH changes were reduced by increasing the percentage of NH₄ in the nitrogen supply, but the plants exhibited dry weight reductions and symptoms of toxicity above 30% NH₄. For wheat, a ratio of 25/75 NH₄/NO₃ was optimum for minimizing pH changes within the nontoxic range. A test of the effectiveness of the RAR technique using this background concentration and NH₄/NO₃ ratio showed that RGR increased with RAR with a linear slope of 0.55 and an intercept of 0.07 d^-1. Although the relationship between growth rate and nutrient supply was less than the one-to-one dependence of RGR on RAR that has been obtained with more sophisticated apparatus, application of the RAR technique to a conventional solution culture system still affords considerable control of RGR and presents a simple method for growing plants at different levels of nutrient stress and at distinct RGRs.     

An invasive macrophyte alters sediment chemistry due to suppression of a native isoetid

The submersed macrophyte Utricularia inflata (inflated bladderwort) is a recent invader of Adirondack Mountain lakes (NY, USA). A 15-week greenhouse experiment and a 7-week field experiment were conducted to test the hypothesis that this rootless species fundamentally changes sediment chemistry through its suppression of the native short-statured species, Eriocaulon aquaticum. E. aquaticum has an extensive root system that releases oxygen into the sediment. In greenhouse conditions, E. aquaticum raised the porewater redox potential of otherwise bare sediment from 25 to 324 mV, lowered the sediment porewater pH from 5.7 to 4.6, and depleted the dissolved inorganic carbon and ammonium concentrations in the sediment porewater by 68.4 and 96.0%, respectively (P<0.001 for all four parameters). A cover of U. inflata over E. aquaticum, however, greatly reduced the latter’s effect on redox potential (P<0.001), dissolved solutes (P<0.001), and pH (P<0.05). E. aquaticum biomass increased during the greenhouse experiment in the absence of U. inflata, but decreased in its presence (P<0.001). Redox and growth rate results from the field experiment paralleled those from the greenhouse experiment. Our data suggest that U. inflata may change nutrient cycling in Adirondack lake ecosystems by reducing the growth of native isoetid macrophytes, such as E. aquaticum, and consequently altering key features of sediment chemistry.     

Responses of wild plants to nitrate availability

Summary Two annual species of Bromus, an invader (B. hordeaceus, ex B. mollis) and a non-invader (B. intermedius), were grown for 28 days in growth chambers, at 5 and 100 M NO ₃ ^- in flowing nutrient solution. No differences between the two species were observed at either NO ₃ ^- level, in terms of relative growth rate (RGR) or its components, dry matter partitioning, specific NO ₃ ^- absorption rate, nitrogen concentration, and other characteristics of NO ₃ ^- uptake and photosynthesis. The effects of decreasing NO ₃ ^- concentration in the solution were mainly to decrease the NO ₃ ^- concentration in the plants through decreased absorption rate, and to decrease the leaf area ratio through increased specific leaf mass and decreased leaf mass ratio. Organic nitrogen concentration varied little between the two treatments, which may be the reason why photosynthetic rates were not altered. Consequently, RGR was only slightly decreased in the 5-M treatment compared to the 100-M treatment. This is in contrast with other species, where growth is reduced at much higher NO ₃ ^- concentrations. These discrepancies may be related to differences in RGR, since a log-linear relationship was found between RGR and the NO ₃ ^- concentration at which growth is first reduced. In addition, a strong linear relationship was found between the RGR of these species and their maximum absorption rate for nitrate, suggesting that the growth of species with low maximum RGR may be partly regulated by nutrient uptake.     

Does hydraulic lift or nighttime transpiration facilitate nitrogen acquisition?

Water movement from roots to soil at night in the process of hydraulic lift (redistribution) rehydrates the rhizosphere and has been proposed to improve plant nutrient acquisition. Another process that has now been found in many plant species is nighttime transpiration and this could also affect nutrient relations by influencing supply of mobile nutrients to roots at night. The effects of these soil/root water relations interactions have not been adequately tested. We chose ten Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torrey shrubs with different magnitudes of hydraulic lift (i.e. diel range in soil water potential) to test the hypothesis that the magnitude of lift would be positively related to the amount of nitrogen (N) uptake over a period of days. A ¹⁵N tracer was injected in the 20–30 cm soil layer at locations with hydraulic lift to determine plant ¹⁵N acquisition by shallow roots conducting hydraulic lift. Half of the plants were also placed in large humidified tents (i.e. “bagged”), which suppressed nighttime transpiration, and thus were expected to have greater magnitudes of hydraulic lift, although they did not. All plants took up the ¹⁵N tracer, but contrary to our hypothesis the magnitude of hydraulic lift had no significant effect on the amount of ¹⁵N acquired over a 9-day period following labeling. However, plants that were bagged tended to have lower ¹⁵N acquisition (P = 0.07). These data indicate that decreased nighttime transpirational water loss or some other effect of bagging may decrease nutrient acquisition by these nutrient-limited phreatophytic shrubs and more generally suggests a possible nutritional benefit of nighttime transpiration by plants. This suggestion needs more thorough testing to elucidate an important potential link between plant water and nutrient relations.     

A coupled model of stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpiration

A model that couples stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, leaf energy balance and transport of water through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum is presented. Stomatal conductance in the model depends on light, temperature and intercellular CO₂ concentration via photosynthesis and on leaf water potential, which in turn is a function of soil water potential, the rate of water flow through the soil and plant, and on xylem hydraulic resistance. Water transport from soil to roots is simulated through solution of Richards’ equation. The model captures the observed hysteresis in diurnal variations in stomatal conductance, assimilation rate and transpiration for plant canopies. Hysteresis arises because atmospheric demand for water from the leaves typically peaks in mid‐afternoon and because of uneven distribution of soil matric potentials with distance from the roots. Potentials at the root surfaces are lower than in the bulk soil, and once soil water supply starts to limit transpiration, root potentials are substantially less negative in the morning than in the afternoon. This leads to higher stomatal conductances, CO₂ assimilation and transpiration in the morning compared to later in the day. Stomatal conductance is sensitive to soil and plant hydraulic properties and to root length density only after approximately 10 d of soil drying, when supply of water by the soil to the roots becomes limiting. High atmospheric demand causes transpiration rates, LE, to decline at a slightly higher soil water content, θ_s, than at low atmospheric demand, but all curves of LE versus θ_s fall on the same line when soil water supply limits transpiration. Stomatal conductance cannot be modelled in isolation, but must be fully coupled with models of photosynthesis/respiration and the transport of water from soil, through roots, stems and leaves to the atmosphere.     

Stress relaxation of cell walls and the yield threshold for growth

Theory predicts that, for growing plant cells isolated from a supply of water, stress relaxation of the cell wall should decrease cell turgor pressure (P) until the yield threshold for cell expansion is reached. This prediction was tested by direct P measurements of pea (Pisum sativum L.) stem cortical cells before and after excision of the growing region and isolation of the growing tissue from an external water supply. Cell P was measured with the micro-pressure probe under conditions which eliminated transpiration. Psychrometric measurements of water potential confirmed the pressureprobe measurements. Following excision, P of the growing cells decreased in 1 h by an average of 1.8 bar to a mean plateau value of 2.8 bar, and remained constant thereafter. Treatment with 10^-5 M indole-3-acetic acid or 10^-5 M fusicoccin (known growth stimulants) accelerated the rate of P relaxation, whereas various treatments which inhibit growth slowed down or completely stopped P relaxation in apical segments. In contrast, P of basal (nongrowing) segments gradually increased because of absorption of solutes from the cell-wall free space of the tissue. Such solute absorption also occurred in apical segments, but wall relaxation held P at the yield threshold in those segments which were isolated from an external water supply. These results provide a new and rapid method for measuring the yield threshold and they show that P in intact growing pea stems exceeds the yield threshold by about 2 bar. Wall relaxation is shown here to affect the water potential and turgor pressure of excised growing segments. In addition, solute release and absorption upon excision may influence the water potential and turgor pressure of nongrowing excised plant tissues.Abbreviations and symbols IAA indole-3-acetic acid - P turgor pressure - SE standard error of the mean - water potential     

樟子松幼苗生长及光合特性对强风沙流吹袭的响应

为了解樟子松幼苗对不同时间强风沙流吹袭的生理生态响应,2013年春季在内蒙古科尔沁沙地研究了8级大风风沙流(风速18m·s-1,风沙流强度173g·cm-1·min-1)吹袭10、20和30min下樟子松幼苗生长与光合特性的变化。结果显示:(1)随着风吹时间的增加,樟子松的株高生长量减少、茎粗生长加快,落叶数量增加,其中30min处理与CK相比的株高生长量下降52.63%,茎粗生长量增加233.30%,落叶指数增加466.70%。(2)风沙流吹袭没有改变樟子松幼苗的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度的日变化规律,但日光合峰值下降,日最大蒸腾速率增加;与CK相比,30min处理的日最大光合速率下降22.69%,日最大蒸腾速率增加11.89%。(3)随风吹时间增加,其叶片温度、叶片相对含水量、日均光合速率、水分利用效率下降,30min处理较CK依次下降0.60%、4.37%、28.57%和31.58%,且日均蒸腾速率、气孔导度和胞间CO2浓度增加,30min处理较CK依次增加6.25%、6.67%和12.60%。研究表明,在持续风沙流胁迫下,樟子松幼苗光合作用受到抑制,蒸腾耗水增加,水分利用效率降低;樟子松幼苗生长速率降低主要源于光合面积减少和光合作用受到抑制,而其光合速率下降主要因幼苗叶片叶温和叶片含水量下降所致,蒸腾速率的增加主要源于气孔导度的增加;为了适应风沙流持续吹袭的胁迫,樟子松幼苗采取了降低株高生长速率,加快茎粗生长速率的适应策略。     

Positive feedback favors invasion by a submersed freshwater plant

The submersed macrophyte Utricularia inflata has invaded lakes in northern New York State, thereby threatening native isoetids such as Eriocaulon aquaticum. Isoetids often dominate and modify softwater lakes due to their capacity to oxidize sediment and thus influence solute mobilization. Greenhouse experiments tested the hypotheses that U. inflata invasion could result in higher porewater iron (Fe) concentrations and greater ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and Fe release from the sediment into the water column, and that this mobilization would stimulate further U. inflata growth. In the first experiment, three levels of U. inflata impact on E. aquaticum were imposed using sediment cores overlain by lake water: E. aquaticum alone, E. aquaticum with a cover of U. inflata, and bare sediment—the latter to simulate local extirpation of the isoetid by the invasive. After 16 weeks, sediment porewater NH₄ ⁺ and total dissolved Fe concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the U. inflata and bare sediment treatments. Water column concentrations of these solutes were five-fold higher (P < 0.05) for the bare sediment treatment than E. aquaticum alone, indicating that isoetid extirpation by U. inflata can compromise water quality. A second experiment demonstrated that U. inflata grew faster over bare sediment than over sediment with E. aquaticum (P < 0.05), likely due to greater solute mobilization in the absence of E. aquaticum. Where U. inflata causes a decline of native isoetids in Adirondack Mountain lakes, changes to lake sediment and water chemistry can create a positive feedback loop further escalating the impact of this invasive species.     

Apoplastic Transport of 14C-Photosynthates Measured under Drought and Nitrogen Supply

Using water infiltration of the plant and individual shoots with the subsequent intercellular liquid extraction by the pressure chamber, dynamics of the movement ¹⁴C-photosynthates from cell to apoplast, and ¹⁴C distribution among photosynthetic products in mesophyll cells and apoplast were studied. The relative quantity of ¹⁴C-photosynthetes in leaf apoplast depended on growing conditions; drought increased, and nitrate supply decreased it. When the middle leaves absorbed ¹⁴CO₂, photosynthates moving down in stem phloem appeared in intercellular space, where they were transported up by transpiration stream. ¹⁴C-photosynthates entering to the apex and young leaves were utilized a accumulated, and photosynthates transported to the mature leaves were reloaded into the phloem and reexported. Thus, photosynthates circulated through the plant and were redistributed to the plant organs according to their transpiration. In leaf apoplast photosynthetic sucrose was partly hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose. This increased under high nitrogen supply. The result indicate that apoplast sucrose hydrolysis is the basic cause of the reduction of photosynthate flux from leaves when the nitrate concentration in soil increases.     

Growth retardation induced by nutritional deficiency or abscisic acid in Lemna gibba: The relationship between growth rate and endogenous cytokinin content

The relationship between endogenous cytokinin content and relative growth rate (RGR) was studied in cultures of Lemna gibba L. G3 supplied with daily doses of mineral nutrients that were increased exponentially over time. At the optimal level of nutrient supply the RGR was 30–35% day^-1. The RGR was regulated by adjusting the rate of nitrogen supply, or it was restricted by addition of 0.5 M abscisic acid (ABA). Another approach used to investigate the specific roles of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), was to transfer optimally growing plants to media without N or P but otherwise complete. The plants were harvested at regular intervals for determination of the RGR and levels of cytokinins of the isopentenyladenosine (iPA) and zeatinriboside (ZR) types with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of both iPA- and ZR-type cytokinins decreased when nitrogen was applied to cultures in growth limiting amounts. The cytokinin levels decreased more rapidly than the RGR when either N or P was lacking in the medium, suggesting an early influence of nutrient availability on cytokinin levels which in turn may induce adaptive response by the plant. RGR retardation induced by ABA did not affect cytokinin levels during the first 4 days of the treatment, and the later effects were small. The experiments gave no indication that ABA is involved in the adaptation response of Lemna plants to nutritional stress.Abbreviations ABA - abscisic acid - BAP - benzylaminopurine - ELISA - enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay - iP - isopentenyladenine - iPA - isopentenyladenosine - PBS - phosphate-buffered saline - PVP - polyvinylpyrrolidone - RGR - relative growth rate - R_N - relative nitrogen addition rate - Z - trans-zeatin - ZR - trans-zeatin riboside     

The correlation between crassulacean acid metabolism and water uptake in Senecio medley-woodii

The combination of a chamber for CO₂ gas exchange with a potometric measuring arrangement allowed concomitant investigations into CO₂ gas exchange, transpiration and water uptake by the roots of whole plants of Senecio medley-woodii, a species which exhibits Crassulacean acid metabolism. The water-uptake rate showed the same daily pattern as malate concentration and osmotic potential. The accumulation of organic acids resulting from nocturnal CO₂ fixation enhanced the water-uptake rate from dusk to dawn. During the day the water-uptake rates decreased with decreasing organic-acid concentration. With gradually increasing water stress, CO₂ dark fixation of S. medley-woodii was increased as long as water could be taken up by the roots. It was also shown that a reestablished water supply after drought caused a similar increase which in both cases ameliorated the water uptake in order to conserve a positive water balance for as long as possible. This water-uptake pattern shows that Crassulacean acid metabolism is not only a water-saving adaptation but also enhances water uptake and is directly correlated with the amelioration of the plant water status.Abbreviation CAM Crassulacean acid metabolism