Net Mg2+ uptake in relation to the amount of exchangeable Mg2+ in the Donnan free space of ryegrass roots

Abstract

Ammonium acetate and BaCl2-triethanolamine were used to desorb Mg2+ from the root Donnan free space (DFS) of 23-d-old ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cvs. Gulf and Wilo). Amounts of desorbed Mg2+ increased with the increase in Mg2+ activity of the nutrient solution. Slightly less Mg2+ was desorbed by Ba2+ than by NH4 +. Previously published data on short-term net Mg2+ uptake by intact 23-d-old ryegrass plants of the two cultivars were linearly related to the amount of exchangeable Mg+ desorbed from the root DFS (r2=0.90 and 0.81 for the desorption by NH4 + and Ba2+, respectively). A sward of Mg2+ ions attracted to the negative charges of the cell surface is suggested to represent a part of a pool of Mg2+ available for active transport through the plasmalemma.