Abstract
Although zinc (Zn) is an essential element for the growth of higher plants, excess supply may lead to growth inhibition. Symptoms of Zn toxicity are characterized by a reduction in root growth and leaf expansion followed by chlorosis (Mengel and Kirkby 1987), especially root elongation is severely inhibited (Godbold et al. 1983). Due to the increase of input of Zn to farmland by the application of sewage sludge or large amounts of Zn-containing pig manure, Zn toxicity may become an important problem in certain regions (Ruano et al. 1987). In addition, Zn toxicity is also a problem in some acidic soils (Takahashi et al. 1980). Increasing soil pH by liming is the most effective procedure for decreasing both Zn content and Zn toxicity in plants (White et al. 1979), because Zn solubility decreases 100 times for each unit increase in pH (Neue and Lantin 1994). As an alternative approach, application of large amounts of phosphorus (P) fertilizer was employed to detoxify Zn (Takahashi et al. 1980). However, the mechanisms responsible for the detoxification of the excess Zn by P is remained to be elucidated. Interactions between Zn and P, which may occur in the rhizosphere and in the uptake and translocation processes, are complex. To separate these factors, in the present study, pollen tubes of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) were used as a model, and the efrect of P on pollen tube growth under Zn toxicity was studied.
Published Version
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