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.     

Cation fluxes in excised and intact roots in relation to specific and varietal differences

Summary In this short survey differences between species and varieties in the four major mechanisms that affect selective uptake of potassium and sodium to the plant within the root are considered. These include influx selectivity, K⁺/Na⁺ exchange at the plasmalemma, and selectivity at the tonoplast as well as at the symplasm-xylem boundary. The affinity of various plants for potassium influx in system 1 is rather uniform although varietal differences in barley have been observed. Differences are much more pronounced for sodium influx, for which Helianthus showed rather high and Fagopyrum rather low affinity. There is substantial variation between species in the efficiency of K⁺/Na⁺ exchange at the plasmalemma of cortical root cells; the three cereals Hordeum, Triticum, and Secale were highly efficient while K⁺/Na⁺ exchange in Atriplex, Helianthus and Allium was poor, even if the cytoplasmic sodium content was accounted for. Apparently there was no direct relation between salt tolerance and K⁺/Na⁺ exchange. The observed differences in the efficiency of K⁺-dependent sodium extrusion or K⁺/Na⁺ exchange were not due to the use of excised roots, they were observed also when roots of whole seedlings were investigated. At the tonoplast a 11 exchange of vacuolar potassium for sodium has been observed in roots of Hordeum. By this exchange sodium ions are removed from the symplasm and potassium ions are recovered from vacuoles and thus made available for transport to the shoot. Indications for specific differences in this exchange have been observed; the exchange appears to be more efficient in Helianthus than in Hordeum roots. More comparative studies are needed here. At the boundary between symplasm and xylem vessels selectivity can be set up during xylem release of cations and there are reports that suggest a preference for sodium (Lycopersicum cheesemanii, Solanum pennellii, and Suaeda) and for varietal differences amongst tomatoes. Selectivity at this boundary, the plasmalemma of the xylem parenchyma cells was described in this paper by the selectivity ratio of transport that relates the rates of xylem transport to the cytoplasmic sodium and potassium concentrations. Based on this ratioAtriplex hortensis was shown to discriminate for sodium during xylem release while there was little selectivity in Hordeum and possibly some discrimination in favour of K⁺ in Allium roots. The data are shortly discussed in relation to salt tolerance and to the breeding of salt-tolerant crop varieties.     

盐胁迫对大豆根系木质部压力和Na+吸收的影响

取栽培大豆的水培幼苗为材料,用木质部压力探针和原子吸收分光光度计测定了盐胁迫条件下其根木质部压力和伤流液中Na~+含量的变化,以分析大豆抗盐吸水的机制.结果表明:在25～150 mmol/L NaCl的浓度范围内,随着盐胁迫强度的增加,大豆根木质部负压力的绝对值逐渐增大,但相对负压力和根的径向反射系数则逐渐减小;木质部伤流液中Na~+含量逐渐增加,但Na~+的相对含量则逐渐降低.同时,虽然根系吸水所需的木质部负压力(压力势)及根木质部伤流液的渗透势随着盐胁迫强度的增加都有所下降,但两者共同作用使木质部水势下降的幅度远远小于根外溶液水势(渗透势)下降的幅度,即随着根外溶液盐浓度的升高,根木质部溶液的总水势逐渐高出根外溶液的水势.上述结果说明,在盐胁迫下大豆可以利用相对小的木质部负压力逆水势梯度吸水,且通过避免对Na~+的过量吸收来适应盐胁迫环境.     

A Correlation between Structure and Function in the Root of Zea mays

The exudation rates of fluid and potassium ions from isolatedmaize roots were determined before and after excision of certainlengths of root tip. The results of this study suggest thatexcised maize roots possess the ability to absorb potassium(and presumably chloride) ions and concomitant amounts of waterover a considerable distance (10 cm) from the tip. Moreover,the observed power of absorption of ions and water into thetranslocatory pathway decreases in passing from the tip towardsthe base of the root. Both light and electron microscope techniques were used to examinethe anatomy of primary roots similar to those used in the physiologicalexperiments. The principal observation was that the xylem vesselsnear the root tip contain membrane-bounded cytoplasm with organelles.The number of mature xylem vessels, i.e. without cytoplasm,progressively increased in transverse sections cut from 1 to10 cm from the root tip; above 10 cm from the root tip all ofthe xylem vessels were found to be completely mature. It isevident that prima facie a connexion exists between this singleaspect of root anatomy and fluid exudation from excised roots. The uptake of tritiated water by roots and its transport intoexudates was examined. These data were analysed on the assumptionthat the exchange of external labelled water with the exudatewas achieved by the fluid exudation itself; this analysis indicatedthat an operational volume, similar to that of the total xylemvolume within the root, must become labelled during the formationof the exudate.     

Effect of moderate salinity on patterns of potassium, sodium and chloride accumulation in cells near the root tip of barley: Role of differentiating metaxylem vessels

X-Ray microanalysis of fully hydrated, bulk-frozen samples was used to measure concentrations of potassium, sodium and chloride in various cell types along seminal roots of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. cv. California Mariout) seedlings (1 to 150 mm from the tip). In the cytoplasm of all meristematic cells 1 mm from the root tip, the average concentrations of potassium and chloride were ca 200 and 15 m M , respectively. The potassium level was also high in the vacuoles of incipient xylem elements and did not drop to significantly lower values until 10 mm from the tip in protoxylem, 50 mm in early metaxylem and 150 mm in late metaxylem (LMX). Light microscopy observations (Nomarski optics) of hand-cut sections showed the presence of cytoplasmic strands and also the presence of intact cross walls in LMX up to a distance of 100 mm. Both quantitative analysis of ion contents and structural observations suggested that LMX elements act as a large transitional sink of accumulated ions and therefore may not function as a main pathway of transport until perforation of the end wall takes place 100–150 mm from the root tip. Treatment with 50 m M NaCl resulted in higher concentrations of sodium and chloride in LMX elements than in the surrounding cells, suggesting that living xylem elements, which develop a large central vacuole at an early stage of root differentiation, may assist in alleviating salinity stress in the meristematic region of barley root tips. Further, it is proposed that reabsorption of sodium and chloride from the LMX, especially before the disappearance of the cross walls, may provide a means of salinity tolerance.     

Mineral uptake and transport in xylem and phloem of the proteaceous tree,Banksia prionotes

Xylem sap of sinker (tap) root, cluster feeding roots, lateral roots and from an age series of main stem extensions of 6-year trees of Banksia prionotes was collected and analyzed for principal organic and inorganic solutes. During the phase of root uptake activity in winter and spring, cluster roots were principal xylem donors of malate, phosphate, chloride, sodium, potassium and amino acid N whereas other parts of the root served as major sources to the shoot of other cations, nitrate and sulphate. Sinker root xylem sap was at all times less concentrated in solutes than that of lateral roots into which cluster roots were voiding exported solutes. Phosphate was abstracted from xylem by stem tissue during winter and it and a range of other solutes released back to xylem immediately prior to extension growth of the shoot in summer. Phloem sap collected from mid regions of stems was unusually low in potassium and phosphate relative to chloride and sulphate in comparison with phloem sap of other species, and its low potassium: sodium ratio relative to xylem indicated poor discrimination against sodium during phloem loading. Data are discussed in relation to the asynchronous seasonal cycles of nutrient uptake and shoot growth.     

Uptake and distribution of sodium and potassium by corn seedlings : I. Role of the mesocotyl in ;sodium exclusion'

The distribution of sodium and potassium throughout corn (Zea mays L. [A632 × Crows 3640] × Oh 43) plants is not simply a matter of uptake by cortical cells and irreversible delivery to the xylem for upward transport. We show that sodium, but not potassium, accumulates in the mesocotyl of corn seedlings grown on NaCl medium. Upon transfer to NaCl-free medium, total sodium is reduced by export through the roots but remains at high levels within the mesocotyl. We report experiments which consider uptake from the xylem.

Shoots excised at the seed were allowed to transpire solutions containing ²²Na and ⁴²K. Potassium uptake within the mesocotyl was very sensitive to concentration, increasing 27-fold between 1 and 10 millimolar. Sodium uptake was dependent upon the square root of the concentration suggesting active accumulation. At sodium concentrations below 1 millimolar, more than 80% of the sodium in the plant was retained in the mesocotyl. Both the uptake by and retention within the mesocotyl were dependent upon transpiration rate as well as concentration. We discuss the limitations of measuring uptake from a finite, depletable medium. The mesocotyl is a modified root with a cuticularized epidermis. We discuss the feasibility of using this `plastic-coated root' as a model for root transport studies.

     

Persistent xylem cross-walls reduce the axial hydraulic conductivity in the apical 20 cm of barley seminal root axes: implications for the driving force for water movement

Abstract. Xylem vessels in the apical 25 cm of barley seminal axes were examined by scanning electron microscopy of fractured freeze dried or critical point dried specimens. In the apical 11 cm, there were three cross walls cm⁻¹ root in the central xylem vessel. The frequency then declined with distance but did not become less than 1.0 cm⁻¹ root until the 22–25-cm zone.
Suction was applied to the proximal end of segments of seminal axes whose surfaces had been sealed with wax to prevent radial entry of water. Perfusion of the xylem with solutions of Tinopal CBS-X revealed the conductive xylem vessels by fluorescent staining of their walls. In the apical 20 cm of the axis, only a variable number of smaller xylem vessels conduct water. Beyond this zone, the much larger central vessel becomes functional.
The flow of water (Jv) in the apical zone was very much less for a given presure (△P) than in the proximal zone > 25 cm from the tip, and could be predicted by the Poiseuille equation provided the correct number of functional vessels are known. This information, together with earlier results on water uptake along the root length are used to predict the attenuation of the hydrostatic driving force for water uptake along the root length.
Estimates of K⁺ concentrations in stelar parenchyma and xylem vessels were made by electron microproble X-ray analysis. These results show that [K⁺] in the xylem vessels may be two to three times greater in the zone 1–2 cm from the root tip than in the basal zone. Such a gradient of solute potential may, to some extent, offset the decreasing influence of the leaf water potential in apical zones where xylem is not fully conductive.     

Enhanced salt tolerance mediated by AtHKT1 transporter-induced Na unloading from xylem vessels to xylem parenchyma cells

AtHKT1 is a sodium (Na+) transporter that functions in mediating tolerance to salt stress. To investigate the membrane targeting of AtHKT1 and its expression at the translational level, antibodies were generated against peptides corresponding to the first pore of AtHKT1. Immunoelectron microscopy studies using anti-AtHKT1 antibodies demonstrate that AtHKT1 is targeted to the plasma membrane in xylem parenchyma cells in leaves. AtHKT1 expression in xylem parenchyma cells was also confirmed by AtHKT1 promoter-GUS reporter gene analyses. Interestingly, AtHKT1 disruption alleles caused large increases in the Na+ content of the xylem sap and conversely reduced the Na+ content of the phloem sap. The athkt1 mutant alleles had a smaller and inverse influence on the potassium (K+) content compared with the Na+ content of the xylem, suggesting that K+ transport may be indirectly affected. The expression of AtHKT1 was modulated not only by the concentrations of Na+ and K+ but also by the osmolality of non-ionic compounds. These findings show that AtHKT1 selectively unloads sodium directly from xylem vessels to xylem parenchyma cells. AtHKT1 mediates osmolality balance between xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma cells under saline conditions. Thus AtHKT1 reduces the sodium content in xylem vessels and leaves, thereby playing a central role in protecting plant leaves from salinity stress.     

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.     

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.     

Shoot-Dependent Regulation of Sodium and Potassium Fluxes in Roots of Whole Barley Seedlings

Unidirectional fluxes and the cytoplasmic and vacuolar contentsof potassium and sodium in root cells of intact barley seedlings(Hordeum vulgare L., cv. Villa) were determined by use of compartmentalanalysis. In addition, the net vacuolar accumulation J_cv andthe xylem transport ø_cx of K⁺ and Na⁺ were measured.Both of these data were needed for the evaluation of the effluxdata. Fluxes and compartmental contents of K⁺ and Na⁺ were comparableto data obtained with excised roots. The effect of the shoot-to-rootratio—as varied by partial excision of the seedlings seminalroots—on the fluxes and contents was investigated. Highershoot-to-root ratios induced an increase in xylem transport,in plasmalemma influx, and also in the cytoplasmic content ofK⁺ and Na⁺. With potassium the plasmalemma efflux was almostunaltered while the tonoplast fluxes and vacuolar content weredecreased (in presence of Na⁺). With sodium, on the other hand,the plasmalemma efflux and the tonoplast fluxes were also increasedin the plants having one root and a high shoot-to-root ratio.These changes occurred even under conditions of low humidity,when transpiration was low and guttation occurred. The latterwas also increased at the high shoot-to-root ratio. The observedchanges could be due to a relieved feedback control of ion fluxesby the shoot and mediated in part by a relatively higher supplyof photosynthates in the plants having one root In addition,hormonal signals were suggested to participate. In particulara possibly decreased level of cytokinins in the plants havingonly one root could contribute to the signal. The observed changesappear to be responses of the plant to an alteration that canoccur under natural conditions when the root system is damaged.     

不同供钾水平对平邑甜茶幼苗生长及NO3-吸收利用特性的影响

研究平邑甜茶幼苗NO₃^--N吸收和利用特性对不同供钾水平的响应,旨在明确钾肥对氮肥吸收利用的影响,从而为果园科学施肥提供理论依据.以平邑甜茶幼苗为材料进行砂培试验,设置K₀、K₁、K₂、K₃、K₄、K₅、K₆ 7个钾浓度处理,分别相当于0、2、4、6、8、10、12 mmol·L^-1 K⁺,运用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术和非损伤扫描离子选择电极技术,测定了不同供钾水平下平邑甜茶的氮素吸收和利用情况.结果表明: K₃处理平邑甜茶幼苗根系活力、硝酸还原酶活性以及根系形态指标均显著高于其他处理.与其他处理相比,K₃处理根、茎、叶从肥料中吸收分配到的¹⁵N 量对该器官全氮量的贡献率(Ndff)均达到最高,分别为K₀处理的1.36、1.33和1.47倍.随供钾水平的增加,植株氮素利用率呈现先增高后降低的趋势,且在K₃处理时最大,为23.3%,是K₀处理的3.04倍.非损伤微测技术结果显示,K₃处理时,平邑甜茶根系对NO₃^-有强烈吸收且内流速度达到最大,为19.34 pmol·cm^-2·s^-1;在缺钾(K₀)和高钾(K₆)处理时有明显外排趋势.因此,钾的亏缺或过量均抑制氮素的吸收和利用,适当供钾能够促进幼苗根系生长,增强硝酸还原酶活性,从而促进平邑甜茶对氮素的吸收.     

不同供钾水平对平邑甜茶幼苗生长及NO3-吸收利用特性的影响

研究平邑甜茶幼苗NO₃^--N吸收和利用特性对不同供钾水平的响应,旨在明确钾肥对氮肥吸收利用的影响,从而为果园科学施肥提供理论依据.以平邑甜茶幼苗为材料进行砂培试验,设置K₀、K₁、K₂、K₃、K₄、K₅、K₆ 7个钾浓度处理,分别相当于0、2、4、6、8、10、12 mmol·L^-1 K⁺,运用¹⁵N同位素示踪技术和非损伤扫描离子选择电极技术,测定了不同供钾水平下平邑甜茶的氮素吸收和利用情况.结果表明: K₃处理平邑甜茶幼苗根系活力、硝酸还原酶活性以及根系形态指标均显著高于其他处理.与其他处理相比,K₃处理根、茎、叶从肥料中吸收分配到的¹⁵N 量对该器官全氮量的贡献率(Ndff)均达到最高,分别为K₀处理的1.36、1.33和1.47倍.随供钾水平的增加,植株氮素利用率呈现先增高后降低的趋势,且在K₃处理时最大,为23.3%,是K₀处理的3.04倍.非损伤微测技术结果显示,K₃处理时,平邑甜茶根系对NO₃^-有强烈吸收且内流速度达到最大,为19.34 pmol·cm^-2·s^-1;在缺钾(K₀)和高钾(K₆)处理时有明显外排趋势.因此,钾的亏缺或过量均抑制氮素的吸收和利用,适当供钾能够促进幼苗根系生长,增强硝酸还原酶活性,从而促进平邑甜茶对氮素的吸收.     

Late Maturation of Large Metaxylem Vessels in Soybean Roots: Significance for Water and Nutrient Supply to the Shoot

The large, late metaxylem (LMX) in the roots of soybean beginsdevelopment in the centre of the stele after lignification ofthe early metaxylem poles. Subsequent maturation of the firstappearing LMX elements is gradual. They were never mature inthe 8-d-old seedlings examined. In 10 to 15-d-old plants thefirst LMX matured to open vessels at a mean of 17 cm proximalto the root tip. Additional LMX vessels developed in more proximalregions of the roots and these also matured gradually. Based on calculations from relative vessel diameters, the potentialflow of xylem sap in a single central LMX vessel is 50 timesthat in the total of all the early metaxylem (EMX) vessels ofa typical primary root of soybean. There was a marked dependence of relative leaf area on the lengthof primary root with open LMX vessels. This may result fromthe predicted increased water and nutrient flow to the shoot,facilitated by the opening of the large vessels. It is suggestedthat, as in maize, the living LMX elements may function in ionaccumulation. Dicotyledonous roots, soybean, Glycine max, xylem vessels, xylem maturation, water conduction     

沙地云杉幼苗根表土体中NPK的梯度分布

采用水平根和垂直根两种处理方法对6年生沙地云杉幼苗进行栽培实验,应用分层取样方法对幼苗根表不同距离土体进行取样,并测定不同层次土体中速效N、速效P、速效K的含量。结果表明,在沙地云杉根表不同距离的土体中,速效N、P、K呈现有规律的梯度分布,即在根表近距离土体中营养元素由于根系的吸附作用而含量较高,同时根系生命活动对营养元素的大量消耗又使得营养元素随即出现严重的亏缺区,再向外延伸营养元素含量又逐渐上升而达到土壤本底值,在水平根处理中,由于沙地云杉对N、P、K吸收和利用的强度不同,亏缺区出现的位置不同,速效N和速效K的亏缺区出现在距离根表1cm处;速效P出现在距离根表0．5cm处,在垂直根处理中,速效N、速效P、速效K的梯度变化与水平根处理的相似速效N和速效K亏缺区出现在距离根表大约1cm处,而速效P在根表附近土壤中的含量始终少于根表远处,说明沙地云杉幼苗对速效P的吸收和利用强度大,速效P可能成为沙地云杉生长发育的限制因子。因此,在沙地云杉引种栽培时,应该选择含P丰富的土壤,或者对林地适当施用一些P肥。     

Direct measurement of sodium and potassium in the transpiration stream of salt-excluding and non-excluding varieties of wheat

The xylem-feeding insect Philaenus spumarius was used to analyse sodium and potassium fluxes in the xylem of intact, transpiring wheat plants. Two cultivars were compared: the salt-excluding (Chinese Spring) and the non-excluding (Langdon). Chinese Spring accumulated much less sodium in its leaves than the salt-sensitive Langdon. After 7 d in 150 mol m(-3) NaCl, the sodium concentration in the leaf sap of Langdon reached over 600 mol m(-3). This was some three-fold greater than that in Chinese Spring. Similar findings have previously been reported from these cultivars. The reduced ion accumulation was specific to sodium; accumulation of K(+) was unaffected by NaCl in Chinese Spring, such that it developed a much lower leaf Na(+)/K(+) ratio than Langdon. The spittlebug, P. spumarius was used to sample xylem sap from both cultivars. This approach showed that the leaf xylem sap of Chinese Spring had much lower levels of sodium than that of Langdon. In the 150 mol m(-3) NaCl treatment, sodium levels in the leaf xylem reached only 2-3 mol m(-3) in Chinese Spring, compared with 8-10 mol m(-3) in Langdon. Transpiration rates were found to be similar in the two varieties. The lower leaf xylem content alone was thus sufficient to account for the reduced accumulation of sodium in leaves of Chinese Spring. The mechanisms by which xylem sodium might be lowered are discussed and it is concluded that sodium is probably excluded from the xylem in the root of Chinese Spring.     

Evaluation of Inhibitory Effect of Organic and Inorganic Salts Against Ilyonectria liriodendri,The Causal Agent of Root Rot Disease of Kiwifruit

This study evaluated efficacy of 42 organic and inorganic salts as possible alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of Ilyonectria root rot of kiwifruit. Preliminary in vitro tests showed that ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, potassium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate and sodium metabisulphite at 2% completely inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus. No significant differences were observed among these salts and disodium EDTA (P ≤ 0.05). However, the ED₅₀, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values indicated that sodium metabisulphite was more toxic to Ilyonectria liriodendri than these other six salts. Soil bioassays showed that sodium metabisulphite, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate at 0.25% completely inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus, whereas potassium benzoate reduced the mycelial growth of fungus by 90.30%; however, the differences in inhibitory effects were statistically insignificant (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between 0.1% sodium metabisulphite and 0.5% ammonium carbonate, 0.75% ammonium bicarbonate and 1.5–2.0% disodium EDTA (P ≤ 0.05). Unlike disodium EDTA, complete inhibitory was observed with ammonium carbonate and ammonium bicarbonate at higher concentrations. However, in root bioassays, applications of 2% ammonium bicarbonate, 1.5% ammonium carbonate and 2% disodium EDTA were phytotoxic to kiwifruit seedlings, but 0.25% four other salts were neither phytotoxic to kiwifruit seedlings nor did it adversely affect root length, root fresh weight and root dry weight of seedling. This study also showed I. liriodendri to be capable of growth in both acidic and basic environments. However, while the fungus showed uninhibited growth at pH values of 5–11, growth decreased significantly at both higher and lower pH values (P ≤ 0.05) and was completely inhibited at pH 12.     

Variation in embolism occurrence and repair along the stem in drought‐stressed and re‐watered seedlings of a poplar clone

Root pressure and plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) availability in the xylem have been recognized to participate in the refilling of embolized conduits, yet integration of the two mechanisms has not been reported in the same plant. In this study, 4‐month‐old seedlings of a hybrid poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa) clone 84K were subjected to two contrasting soil‐water treatments, with the drought treatment involving withholding of water for 17 days to reduce the soil‐water content to 10% of the saturated field capacity, followed by a re‐watering cycle. The percentage loss of stem hydraulic conductance (PLC) sharply increased, and stomatal conductance and photosynthesis declined in response to drought stress; these processes were gradually restored following the subsequent re‐watering. Embolism was most severe in the middle portions of the stem, followed by the basal and top portions of the stems of seedlings subjected to drought stress and subsequent re‐watering. Although drought stress eliminated root pressure, re‐watering partially restored it in a short period of time. The expression of PIP genes in the xylem was activated by drought stress, and some PIP genes were further stimulated in the top portion after re‐watering. The dynamics of root pressure and differential expression of PIP genes along the stem coincided with changes in PLC, suggesting that root pressure and PIPs work together to refill the embolized vessels. On the basis of the recovery dynamics in PLC and g_smax (maximum stomatal conductance) after re‐watering, the stomatal closure and xylem cavitation exhibited fatigue due to drought stress.     

Aluminium localization in root tips of the aluminium-accumulating plant species buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Aluminium (Al) uptake and transport in the root tip of buckwheat is not yet completely understood. For localization of Al in root tips, fluorescent dyes and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were compared. The staining of Al with morin is an appropriate means to study qualitatively the radial distribution along the root tip axis of Al which is complexed by oxalate and citrate in buckwheat roots. The results compare well with the distribution of total Al determined by LA-ICP-MS which could be reliably calibrated to compare with Al contents by conventional total Al determination using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The Al localization in root cross-sections along the root tip showed that in buckwheat Al is highly mobile in the radial direction. The root apex predominantly accumulated Al in the cortex. The subapical root section showed a homogenous Al distribution across the whole section. In the following root section Al was located particularly in the pericycle and the xylem parenchyma cells. With further increasing distance from the root apex Al could be detected only in individual xylem vessels. The results support the view that the 10 mm apical root tip is the main site of Al uptake into the symplast of the cortex, while the subapical 10-20 mm zone is the main site of xylem loading through the pericycle and xylem parenchyma cells. Progress in the better molecular understanding of Al transport in buckwheat will depend on the consideration of the tissue specificity of Al transport and complexation.