Effect of Root Zone Temperature on the Mineral Composition of Xylem Sap and Plasma Membrane K+–Mg++–ATPase Activity of Grafted Cucumber and Figleaf Gourd Root Systems

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Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings were grafted onto cucumber-(CG) or figleaf gourd (FG, Cucurbita ficifolia Bouche) seedlings in order to determine the effect of solution temperature 12, 22, and 32C) on the mineral composition of xylem sap and plasma membrane K+–Mg++–ATPase activities of the roots. Low solution temperature (12C) lowered the concentration and in xylem sap of CG plants, but not of FG plants. Concentrations of K+, Ca++, and Mg++ in xylem sap were less affected than anions by solution temperature. The plasma membrane of FG plants grown in 12C solution temperature showed the highest K+–Mg++–ATPase activity at all ATP concentrations up to 3 mM and at low reaction temperature up to 12C, indicating resistance of figleaf gourd to low root temperature.