Role of divalent cations in the genesis of the frog electro-olfactogram

In frogs, underwater electro-olfactograms (EOGs) in response to 10(-5) M isoamyl acetate were recorded under restricted cationic environments. The olfactory mucosa was superfused by sodium-free sucrose solutions, and the effect of the addition of millimolar concentrations of calcium, cobalt, barium, or cadmium was studied. Only calcium and barium restored the response; sodium and cobalt were less efficient. Cobalt did not alter the restoring effect of calcium. Cadmium resulted in irreversible blocking irrespective of the presence of calcium. These results are discussed in terms of possible ionic mechanisms mediating olfactory responses.     

Promotion of crown-gall tumor initiation on primary pinto bean leaves by certain inorganic salts

Crown-gall tumor initiation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (SMITHand TOWN.) CONN, strain B6, on Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. "Pinto"was found to be sensitive to the addition of various salts tothe freshly inoculated primary leaves. Calcium, magnesium, zincand ammonium sulfates, cobalt and nickel chlorides and potassiumnitrate increased the number of tumors on inoculated leavesby 100 to 200 percent. Maximal promotions were obtained at concentrationsof 10^–7 to 10^–5 M with all of these salts exceptpotassium nitrate which was most active at 10^–2M. Sodium,potassium, calcium, magnesium and aluminum chlorides, and sodium,potassium and nickel sulfates had little or no effect on tumorinitiation. The combination of sodium sulfate with magnesiumchloride gave promotions comparable to those obtained with magnesiumsulfate, indicating that both the magnesium and sulfate ionswere necessary for the promotion obtained with this latter salt.Combining any two of the active salts at their optimum concentrationsfor promotion resulted in a reciprocal inhibition of the promotionobtained with either salt alone, suggesting these salts to beactive by different and potentially antagonistic mechanisms.The possible nature of these promotions is discussed, but theyremain too obscure to warrant a specific proposal for theirmode of action. ¹Present adress: Department of Botany, University of Khartoum,Khartoum, Sudan.     

Cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels mediate sodium and calcium influx in rat colon

We found mRNA for the three isoforms ofthe cyclic nucleotide-gated nonselective cation channel expressed inthe mucosal layer of the rat intestine from the duodenum to the colonand in intestinal epithelial cell lines in culture. Because thesechannels are permeable to sodium and calcium and are stimulated by cGMPor cAMP, we measured 8-bromo-cGMP-stimulated sodium-mediatedshort-circuit current (I_sc) inproximal and distal colon and unidirectional⁴⁵Ca²⁺fluxes in proximal colon to determine whether these channels couldmediate transepithelial sodium and calcium absorption across the colon.Sodium-mediatedI_sc, stimulatedby 8-bromo-cGMP, were inhibited by dichlorobenzamil andl-cis-diltiazem, blockers of cyclicnucleotide-gated cation channels, suggesting that these ion channelscan mediate transepithelial sodium absorption. Sodium-mediated I_sc and nettransepithelial⁴⁵Ca²⁺absorption were stimulated by heat-stable toxin fromEscherichia coli that increases cGMP.Addition of l-cis-diltiazem inhibited the enhanced transepithelial absorption of both ions. These results suggest that cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels simultaneously increase net sodium and calcium absorption in the colon of the rat.

     

Abolition of Heavy Metal Toxicity on Kirchneriella lunaris (Chlorophyta) by Calcium

The green alga Kirchneriella lunaris was incubated with variousheavy metals (Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺) in presence/absence ofcalcium (Ca²⁺). The uptake of heavy metal was affected by Ca²⁺.Growth rate was inhibited by all heavy metals applied. In allCa²⁺-containing cultures Kirchneriella exhibited higher ratesof growth than those containing heavy metal alone. Photosynthesis/respirationratio of K. lunaris cells seems to be the determinant in thiswork. Ca²⁺ variably abolished the effects of the heavy metalsstudied. Maximal positive effect of Ca²⁺ was found with Cd²⁺while with Ni²⁺ it was negligible.Copyright 1995, 1999 AcademicPress Cadmium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, calcium, heavy metals, growth, photosynthesis, Kirchneriella lunaris     

Regulation of transcervical permeability by two distinct P2 purinergic receptor mechanisms

Micromolar concentrations ofATP stimulate biphasic change in transepithelial conductance acrossCaSki cultures, an acute increase (phase I response) followed by aslower decrease (phase II response). Phase I andphase II responses involve two distinct calcium-dependentpathways, calcium mobilization and calcium influx. To test thehypothesis that phase I and phase II responsesare mediated by distinct P2 purinergic receptors, changes inpermeability were uncoupled by blocking calcium mobilization with1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid(BAPTA) or by lowering extracellular calcium, respectively. Under theseconditions ATP EC₅₀ was 25 µM for phase Iresponse and 2 µM for phase II response. The respectiveagonist profiles were ATP > UTP > adenosine5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP-S) = N⁶-([6-aminohexyl]carbamoylmethyl)adenosine5'-triphosphate (A8889) > GTP and UTP > ATP > GTP = A8889 > ATP-S. Suramin blocked phase Iresponse and ATP-induced calcium mobilization, whereas pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4-disulfonic acid (PPADS) blocked phase II response and ATP-augmented calcium influx. ATP time course andpharmacological profiles for phase II response and augmented calcium influx were similar, with a time constant of 2 min and asaturable concentration-dependent effect (EC₅₀ of 2-3µM). RT-PCR experiments revealed expression of mRNA for both theP2Y₂ and P2X₄ receptors. These results suggestthat the ATP-induced phase I and phase IIresponses are mediated by distinct P2 purinergic receptor mechanisms.

     

Effect of antibody to anisole binding protein on odorant perturbation of Na+-K+ ATPase activity

Odorant perturbation of Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity from cow olfactorytissue was strongly affected by ng quantities of antibodiesto anisole binding protein from dog olfactory mucosa. Antibodyprotein (80 ng per ml reaction mixture) prevented odorant perturbationof Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity. Antibody effect on odorant perturbationshowed concentration dependence and was active against a numberof different odorous chemicals. Electrophysiological studies(Goldberg et al, 1979) showed that mouse EOG responses due toodorants were inhibited 50% by previous exposure to 0.8 ng antibodies.Thus electrophysiological and biochemical responses showed sensitivityto the antibodies from the anisole binding protein from dogolfactory tissue. It is proposed that NA⁺-K⁺ ATPase may participatein the initiation of nerve signals caused by odorant-enzymecomplex interactions.     

The Effect of Ions on Growth and Leaf Succulence of Atriplex hortensis var. cupreata

When plants of Atriplex hortensis var. cupreata were grown insolutions containing at least 100 mmoll^–1 of various saltsit was found that sodium was the ion most effective in stimulatingleaf succulence, irrespective of whether the anion was chloride,bromide or sulphate. Potassium was the next most effective ion.Magnesium and calcium were without effect. Dry weight productioncould be greatly reduced by sodium and potassium but stimulatedby magnesium. The results are compared with those previouslyreported for C₄ species of Atriplex.     

Effect of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Tetraethylammonium on the Transient Voltage Response to a Galvanostatic Step and of the Temperature on the Steady Membrane Conductance of Chara corallina: a Further Evidence for the Involvement of Potassium Channels in the Fast Time Variant Conductance

Homble F. 1985. Effect of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesiumand tetraethylammonium on the transient voltage response toa galvanostatic step and of the temperature on the steady membraneconductance of Chara corallina: A further evidence for the involvementof potassium in the fast time variant conductance.—J.exp. Bot. 36: 1603–1611. Potassium channels of Chara corallina have an activation energyof 36±1 kJ mol^–1 and 50±2 kJ mol^–1at temperatures higher and lower than 15°C respectively.The fast time variant conductance property of potassium channelsis insensitive to sodium and magnesium ions and is depressedby the presence of calcium, potassium and tetraethylammoniumions. It is suggested that in Chara two different kinds of potassiumchannels exist, each kind being distinguished by their kineticsand their response to calcium and magnesium ions. Key words: —Chara corallina, membrane conductance, potassium channels, temperature     

Isolation and Characterization of the Olfactory Epithelial Cells of the Catfish

A preparation enriched in olfactory receptor cells has beenobtained from the olfactory mucosa of the catfish (Ictaluruspunctatus). The tissue was treated successively with trypsin,DNase, trypsin inhibitor, EDTA in Ca^{+ +} , Mg^{+ +} free mediumaccording to a method derived from that of Cohen, et al.⁽¹⁾.After mechanical disruption of the isolated olfactory lamellae,the cells were isolated by centrifugation on a Ficoll gradient.Each type of cell was morphologically identified by comparingin situ and in vitro preparations by SEM. Small round cellswere collected on 10% Ficoll. The nature of these cells is notknown but part of them are certainly basal cells which havebeen shown⁽²⁾ to be the precursors of the constantly regeneratingolfactory neurons. Respiratory cells settled mainly on 20% Ficoll.A fraction containing 60% sustentacular cells was collectedon 33% Ficoll. Olfactory cells characterized by an axon, a dendriteand several cilia, were found on 37% Ficoll. This fraction alsocontains up to 40% sustentacular cells. A yield of 20% was measuredfor olfactory cell isolation. Vital staining and ability tosynthesize RNA indicate a viability of the final preparationof 70% to 80%. Further identification of the cells was performedby measuring the binding activity of a series of amino acidsto a preparation enriched in olfactory cells. A good correlationwas determined between the extent of the binding and the reportedelectrophysiological activities of these amino acids recordedin vivo. Although the final olfactory cell suspension is notpure, it constitutes the first step in the study of the olfactoryreceptor sites.     

Fluoride injury of wheat roots and calcium nutrition

Wheat roots growing in a saturated atmosphere were treated 5min with various concentrations of calcium sulfate and the growthresponse recorded. Roots treated with optimum calcium followedby a delayed treatment with inorganic fluoride, or the reversesequence of treatments, caused responses very similar to thoseresulting from calcium deficiency. Potassium oxalate, sodiumethylenediaminetetraacetate and sodium monofluoroacetate allcaused responses that corresponded to various states of calciumdeficiency. Results suggest but do not confirm that the majoradverse effects of inorganic fluoride are the result of precipitationand depletion of available calcium in cells. Response of monofluoroacetatemight also in part be attributed to its release of inorganicfluoride in vivo. Results also indicate a depletion of a criticalconcentration of calcium from the elongation zone of roots bya 5-min treatment in any solution low in calcium will initiatechanges which cannot be reversed by treatment of calcium, andwhich will result in tissue damage. The meristematic cells areless sensitive. ¹This research was supported in part by Public Health ServiceGrant AP 00276-01 from the Division of Air Pollution. Journalpaper no. 761. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. ²Present address: Department of Water Science and Engineering,University of California, Davis. (Received April 19, 1969; )     

Activation of calcium release assessed by calcium release-induced inactivation of calcium current in rat cardiac myocytes

In mammalian cardiac myocytes, calcium released into the dyadic space rapidly inactivates calcium current (I_Ca). We used this Ca²⁺ release-dependent inactivation (RDI) of I_Ca as a local probe of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release activation. In whole cell patch-clamped rat ventricular myocytes, Ca²⁺ entry induced by short prepulses from —50 mV to positive voltages caused suppression of peak I_Ca during a test pulse. The negative correlation between peak I_Ca suppression and I_Ca inactivation during the test pulse indicated that RDI evoked by the prepulse affected only calcium channels in those dyads in which calcium release was activated. Ca²⁺ ions injected during the prepulse and during the subsequent tail current suppressed peak I_Ca in the test pulse to a different extent. Quantitative analysis indicated that equal Ca²⁺ charge was 3.5 times less effective in inducing release when entering during the prepulse than when entering during the tail. Tail Ca²⁺ charge injected by the first voltage-dependent calcium channel (DHPR) openings was three times less effective than that injected by DHPR reopenings. These findings suggest that calcium release activation can be profoundly influenced by the recent history of L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity due to potentiation of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) by previous calcium influx. This conclusion was confirmed at the level of single RyRs in planar lipid bilayers: using flash photolysis of the calcium cage NP-EGTA to generate two sequential calcium stimuli, we showed that RyR activation in response to the second stimulus was four times higher than that in response to the first stimulus. excitation-contraction coupling     

Evidence for Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors in the olfactory bulb

-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs), a subtype of glutamate receptor, contribute to olfactory processing in the olfactory bulb (OB). These ion channels consist of various combinations of the subunits GluR1–GluR4, which bestow certain properties. For example, AMPARs that lack GluR2 are highly permeable to Ca²⁺ and generate inwardly rectifying currents. Because increased intracellular Ca²⁺ could trigger a host of Ca²⁺-dependent odor-encoding processes, we used whole cell recording as well as histological and immunocytochemical (ICC) techniques to investigate whether AMPARs on rat OB neurons flux Ca²⁺. Application of 1-naphthylacetyl spermine (NAS), a selective antagonist of Ca²⁺-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs), inhibited AMPAR-mediated currents in subsets of interneurons and principal cells in cultures and slices. The addition of spermine to the electrode yielded inwardly rectifying current-voltage plots in some cells. In OB slices, olfactory nerve stimulation elicited excitatory responses in juxtaglomerular and mitral cells. Bath application of NAS with D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP5) to isolate AMPARs suppressed the amplitudes of these synaptic responses compared with responses obtained using AP5 alone. Co²⁺ staining, which involves the kainate-stimulated influx of Co²⁺ through CP-AMPARs, produced diverse patterns of labeling in cultures and slices as did ICC techniques used with a GluR2-selective antibody. These results suggest that subsets of OB neurons express CP-AMPARs, including functional CP-AMPARs at synapses. Ca²⁺ entry into cells via these receptors could influence odor encoding by modulating K⁺ channels, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and Ca²⁺-binding proteins, or it could facilitate synaptic vesicle fusion. GluR2; polyamines; cobalt; glutamate receptor; olfaction     

Cellular Responses to Mechanical Stress: Invited Review: Effects of flow on vascular endothelial intracellular calcium signaling of rat aortas ex vivo

To study the effects of flow on in situendothelial intracellular calcium concentration([Ca²⁺]_i) signaling, rat aortic rings wereloaded with fura 2, mounted on a tissue flow chamber, and divided intocontrol and flow-pretreated groups. The latter was perfused with bufferat a shear stress of 50 dyns/cm² for 1 h. Endothelial[Ca²⁺]_i responses to ACh or shear stresseswere determined by ratio image analysis. Moreover, ACh-induced[Ca²⁺]_i elevation responses were measured ina calcium-free buffer, or in the presence of SKF-96365, to elucidatethe role of calcium influx in the flow effects. Our results showed that1) ACh increased endothelial[Ca²⁺]_i in a dose-dependent manner, and theseresponses were incremented by flow-pretreatment; 2) thedifferences in ACh-induced [Ca²⁺]_i elevationbetween control and flow-pretreated groups were abolished by SKF-96365or by Ca²⁺-free buffer; and 3) in the presenceof 10⁵ M ATP, shear stress induced dose-dependent[Ca²⁺]_i elevation responses that were notaltered by flow-pretreatment. In conclusion, flow-pretreatment augmentsthe ACh-induced endothelial calcium influx in rat aortas ex vivo.

     

Hydrolysis of sucrose octa-acetate: qualitative differences in taster and demistaster avoidance phenotypes

Calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide were used to hydrolysesucrose octa-acetate (SOA) as a means of evaluating the taster(Soa^a) and demitaster (Soa^c) allelic phenotypes of the geneticlocus Soa. The SWR/J (taster) inbred strain and the B6.SW Soa^a(taster) congenic strain were demonstrated to cease avoidingupon nearly complete hydrolysis of 10^–5 M SOA with calciumhydroxide Or sodium hydroxide and of 10^–4 M SOA with calciumhydroxide. The BALB/cByJ, C3HeB/FeJ and DBA/2J (demitaster)inbred strains were demonstrated to cease avoiding after onlya partial hydrolysis of 10^–3 M SOA using calcium hydroxide.It is suggested that specificity for the number or placementof the acetates of SOA underlies the difference between thetaster and demitaster phenotypes.     

Salinity Effects on the Activity of Plasma Membrane H+and Ca2+Transporters in Bean Leaf Mesophyll: Masking Role of the Cell Wall

Net fluxes of H⁺and Ca²⁺were measured in the mesophyll tissueof broad bean (Vicia faba L.) leaves and in protoplasts derivedfrom these cells. NaCl at 90 m M enhanced H⁺extrusion in bothprotoplasts and tissue, but in different ways. Proton extrusionwas inhibited by vanadate, suggesting the involvement of theplasma membrane H⁺-ATPase in cell responses to salinity. Therewas virtually no effect of NaCl on the net Ca²⁺flux in protoplasts,while in the tissue a large transient Ca²⁺efflux followed thesalt treatment. Salt-induced Ca²⁺efflux was essentially independentof external Ca²⁺concentrations in the range 0.1 to 10 m M. Also,Ca²⁺flux responses were ‘saturated’ above 50 m MNaCl. It is suggested that almost all the measured Ca²⁺fluxoriginates from Na⁺/Ca²⁺and H⁺/Ca²⁺ion exchange in the cellwall. This conclusion was supported by the results of modellingcation exchange in the cell wall. Copyright 2000 Annals of BotanyCompany Salinity, membrane transporters, wall ion exchange, proton, calcium, Vicia faba     

Regulation of Free Calcium Concentration in the Pitchers of the Carnivorous Plant Sarracenia purpurea: A Model for Calcium in the Higher Plant Apoplast?

The pitcher of the carnivorous plant Sarracenia purpurea L.contains an entrapped body of liquid within which its prey isdigested. Free calcium in the pitcher is derived from eitherthe pitcher walls or from prey falling into the pitcher; inthe absence of exogenous (prey-derived) calcium it will dependon the active and passive calcium regulatory properties of thepitcher walls and may to some extent therefore mimic calciumin the apoplast of plant cells. Using a calcium-specific electrode,the free calcium concentration of the pitchers of Sarraceniaplants was investigated and the effect of adding a variety ofconcentrations of calcium in water determined. The mean pitcherfree calcium concentration in vivo was 2.3 x 10^–5 M±2.5x 10^–5 M; when pitchers were washed and filled with watercontaining lower calcium concentrations, the concentration inthe pitcher water rose to 1–5 x 10^–5 M. When highercalcium concentrations (up to 1 x 10^–4 M) were added,the pitcher calcium concentration declined to 1–7 x 10^–5M. Concentrations of calcium above 1 x 10^–4 M were alsoreduced, but to a lesser extent. Metabolic inhibition of activeion transport, while inhibiting pitcher acidification, did notinhibit regulation of pitcher free calcium, suggested that itoccurs as a result of calcium exchange sites in the pitcherwalls. The data are discussed in relation to the physiologyof Sarracenia pitchers and to the usefulness of the pitcheras a model for free calcium in the higher plant apoplast. Sarracenia purpurea L., carnivorous plant, pitcher, free calcium, plant apoplast     

Responses of the stomata of Aster tripolium to calcium and sodium ions in relation to salinity tolerance

In previous work, the stomata of the maritime halophyte Astertripolium L. were shown to close when NaCl concentrations risein the vicinity of the guard cells. Further studies have nowrevealed important effects of calcium on the ionic responsesof the stomata. When the guard cells were presented with KCl,Ca²⁺ suppressed opening in a manner similar to that which hasbecome familiar in other species such as Commelina communisL. However, in the presence of NaCl, Ca²⁺ had the opposite effect,reducing the closing response to NaCl. This pattern of behaviouris discussed in relation to known salt effects on membranes,but the underlying physiological basis remains obscure. A previous study led to the hypothesis that the closing responseof the stomata to Na⁺ ions may make an important contributionto the salinity tolerance of this species. Here we report thatincreasing supplies of Ca²⁺ ions reduce the effect of salinityon stomatal conductance in the whole plant as well as in theisolated epidermis. This finding is consistent with the wellestablished role of calcium in increasing resistance to salinity:in the presence of high calcium the plant can tolerate a greatersalt intake, and hence there is a reduced need for transpirationto be restricted by partial stomatal closure. Key words: Sodium, calcium, Aster tripolium, stomata, salinity tolerance     

INHIBITION OF OLFACTION IN THE MOTH HELIOTHIS VIRESCENS BY THE SULFHYDRYL REAGENT FLUORESCEIN MERCURIC ACETATE

A combined electrophysiological, behavioral, and biochemicalstudy was initiated to determine the effects of the sulfhydryl-specificreagent fluorescein mercuric acetate (FMA) on olfaction in thetobacco budworm moth Heliothis virescens. The electroantennogram(EAG) response to the standard odorant n-pentyl acetate showedboth a time and concentration dependent inhibition by FMA. Treatmentof insect antennae with 2.52 x 10^–5 M FMA for 2 min reducedthe EAG by 50%, while treatment for 17 min reduced the EAG by80%. Incubation of antennae for 7 min with 2.52 x 10^–6M FMA resulted in 30% inhibition, while incubation with 2.52x 10^–6 M FMA for 7 min resulted in 65% inhibition. Antennalgrooming behavior was inhibited by FMA in a similar time andconcentration dependent manner as the EAG. Regeneration of previouslyinhibited behavioral and EAG responses has been observed withina 24-hr period. The interaction of protein, obtained by sonicatingintact antennae in phosphate buffer, with FMA was monitoredfluorometrically. Successive additions of antennal sonicateto FMA resulted in stepwise decreases in fluorescence. Partialrecovery of fluorescence was obtained by addition of cysteineto the FMA-antennal sonicate solution. The polarization of theFMA-antennal sonicate fluorescence decreased upon addition ofcysteine. These data indicate that FMA is reacting with a relativelylarge antennal protein (s) by mercaptide linkage and blockingthe olfactory transduction process.     

Changes in regulation of sodium/calcium exchanger of avian ventricular heart cells during embryonic development

It has been suggested that the sodium/calcium exchanger NCX1 may have a more important physiological role in embryonic and neonatal hearts than in adult hearts. However, in chick heart sarcolemmal vesicles, sodium-dependent calcium transport is reported to be small and, moreover, to be 3–12 times smaller in hearts at embryonic day (ED) 4–5 than at ED18, the opposite of what would be expected of a transporter that is more important in early development. To better assess the role of NCX1 in calcium regulation in the chick embryonic heart, we measured the activity of NCX1 in chick embryonic hearts as extracellular calcium-activated exchanger current (I_NCX) under controlled ionic conditions. With intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) = 47 nM, I_NCX density increased from 1.34 ± 0.28 pA/pF at ED2 to 3.22 ± 0.55 pA/pF at ED11 (P = 0.006); however, with [Ca²⁺]_i = 481 nM, the increase was small and statistically insignificant, from 4.54 ± 0.77 to 5.88 ± 0.73 pA/pF (P = 0.20, membrane potential = 0 mV, extracellular calcium concentration = 2 mM). Plots of I_NCX density against [Ca²⁺]_i were well fitted by the Michaelis-Menton equation and extrapolated to identical maximal currents for ED2 and ED11 cells (extracellular calcium concentration = 1, 2, or 4 mM). Thus the increase in I_NCX at low [Ca²⁺]_i appeared to reflect a developmental change in allosteric regulation of the exchanger by intracellular calcium rather than an increase in the membrane density of NCX1. Supporting this conclusion, RT-PCR demonstrated little change in the amount of mRNA encoding NCX1 expression from ED2 through ED18. NCX1; chick embryo; allosteric regulation; sodium/calcium exchange current     

Dependence of Calcium Transport into Strawberry Leaves on Positive Pressure in the Xylem

Strawberry plants were cultured in concentrated and dilute nutrientsolutions by day and night, factorially. Guttation decreased,leaf tipburn increased and calcium in emerging leaves was reducedwhen solutions were more concentrated at night. Nutrient concentrationin the daytime was much less important for these responses.The effects were similar when the more concentrated solutioncontained additional Ca²⁺, NO₂^–, Cl^– and SO₄^2–or extra of all the major nutrients in the same proportions.When the solution was made stronger by adding extra Mg²⁺, NO₂^–,Cl^– and SO₄^2– the guttation, tipburn and calciumdifferences were basically similar to those in the previousexperiment but with an added effect explained by a competitivesuppression of calcium uptake caused by the extra magnesium.Thus, both nutrient strength and cation balance are importantfor preventing strawberry leaf tipburn. The results accord with the hypothesis that calcium translocationinto pre-emerged strawberry leaves depends on the attainmentof a positive water pressure in the xylem at night, when transpirationlosses are minimal. Fragaria ananassa Duchesne, Strawberry, calcium, tipburn, root pressure, nutrient concentrations