32P uptake and transport to shoots in Pinuus serotina seedlings under aerobic and hypoxic growth conditions

Abstract

We examined the effects o long‐term hypoxic growth conditions on net uptake and transport of P to shoots of pond Pine (Pinus serotina Michx.), a moderately flood‐tolerant southern pine. Seedlings were grown under aerobic orhypoxic solution conditions for 4–5 weeks in continuously flowing solution culture containing 100 μM P. Short – and long‐term 32P. experiments were then concluded with intact seedlings to determine rates of 32P influx, efflux and net transport to the shoot. Shoot fresh weight/root fresh weight ratios were significantly higher under hypoxic gorwth conditions, reflecting the larger reduction in root growth than shoot growth, despite extensive aerechyma formation in roots. Estimates for the unidirectional influx of 32P in aerobic and hypoxic seedlings were 1.43 and 3.20 μmol P (gFW root)−1 h−1, respectively. However, 32P accumulation between the two treatments became similar within 8 h, suggesting that efflux was also higer in seedlings from the hypoxic treatment. Indeed in a separate experiment, hypoxic growth conditions increased efflux by over 60%. Transport of 32P to shoots was significantly reduced under hypoxic growth conditions, despite higher root P concentrations and lower shoot P concentrations. After 48 h, 32P accumulation in roots was similar between the two treatments. Yet total accumulation of seedling 32P decrcased by 31% under the hypoxic treatment, largely because of reduced transport of 32p to the shoot. The lower accumulation of 32 by shoots of seedlings in the hypoxic treatment may be the result of a direct inhibition on the transport process in O2‐defident tissues, but could also reflect a slower turnover or labeling of the ool available for transport. Indeed, the percentage of total 32P in. roots present in the soluble P. (or transportable form of P) was about 33% lower in seedlings from the hypoxic treatment, probably reflecting increased assimilation into organic compounds as well as chelation with iron. Our results suggest that P transport to the shoots of acclimated seedlings may be more sensitive to hypoxic solution conditions than influx at the root Plasmalemma.