Concentration In Sap Research Articles

Young Grapevine Response and Root Colonisation fallowing Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

The host plant response following inoculation with commercially available arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was determined in young grapevines under field conditions which would prevail on a typical farm. Measurements regarding growth improvement, nutrition and water relations were made in a field trial carried out on a commercial farm in the Stellenbosch region. Merlot noir grafted onto 101-14 Mgt and 110 Richter (110 R) in a Westleigh soil form and 99 Richter (99 R) in a Fernwood soil form was planted in December 1998. Vine roots were inoculated during planting with Biocult, Vaminoc and Glomus sp. 1054. Inoculation generally had little effect on xylem sap and leaf nutrient concentrations, water relations or growth responses. This was mainly ascribed to indigenous AM fungi, which seemed to have masked the effects of inoculation. A high soil P concentration was also implicated as a possible contributing factor to the general lack of grapevine response to AM inoculation.

Circadian patterns of xylem sap properties and their covariation with plant hydraulic traits in hybrid aspen

Physiological processes taking place in plants are subject to diverse circadian patterns but some of them are poorly documented in natural conditions. The daily dynamics of physico-chemical properties of xylem sap and their covariation with tree hydraulic traits were investigated in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L.×P. tremuloides Michx) in field conditions in order to clarify which environmental drivers govern the daily variation in these parameters. K+ concentration ([K+]), electrical conductivity (σsap), osmolality (Osm) and pH of the xylem sap, as well as branch hydraulic traits, were measured in the field over 24-h cycles. All studied xylem sap properties and hydraulic characteristics including whole-branch (Kwb), leaf blade (Klb) and petiole hydraulic conductances (KP) showed clear daily dynamics. Air temperature (TA) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), but also water vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and relative humidity (RH), had significant impacts on KwbKlb, KP, [K+] and σsap. Osm varied only with light intensity, while KB varied depending on atmospheric evaporative demand expressed as TA, VPD or RH. Xylem sap pH depended inversely on soil water potential (ΨS) and during daylight also on VPD. Although soil water content was close to saturation during the study period, ΨS influenced also [K+] and σsap. The present study presents evidence of coupling between circadian patterns of xylem sap properties and plant hydraulic conductance providing adequate water supply to foliage under environmental conditions characterised by diurnal variation.

Root uptake and xylem transport of cadmium in wheat and triticale as affected by exogenous amino acids

Organic acids exuded from plant roots significantly modify uptake and long-distance translocation of metals. Little is known about the effect of amino acids on metal ion uptake by plant roots. The present study investigated the effects of exogenous amino acids (histidine and glycine) in a nutrient solution on root uptake and xylem sap transport of cadmium (Cd) in triticale (× Triticosecale cv. Elinor) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Back Cross Rushan). Plant seedlings were grown in a Cd-free modified Hoagland nutrient solution to which 1 µm Cd was added with either 50 µm histidine or 50 µm glycine or without amino acids at 4 weeks after germination. A control treatment consisted of a nutrient solution free of Cd and amino acids. In bread wheat, addition of histidine to the Cd-containing nutrient solution resulted in a higher operationally defined symplastic Cd fraction but a lower apoplastic one in the roots. In triticale, addition of either amino acid decreased the symplastic Cd fraction but increased the apoplastic one. Addition of histidine to the nutrient solution increased Cd concentration in wheat xylem sap but had no significant effect on Cd concentration in triticale xylem sap. Compared with the Cd-only treatment, the glycine-containing treatment led to significantly reduced Cd concentrations in xylem sap of both plant species. Wheat plants supplied with histidine and Cd accumulated greater amounts of Cd in their shoots than those supplied with Cd alone. Glycine had no significant effects on the Cd content of wheat shoots but decreased it in triticale shoots. Results indicate that the effects of amino acids on plant root uptake and xylem sap translocation of Cd depend on the type of amino acid supplemented. This finding is of great importance for selecting and/or breeding cultivars with Cd-toxicity tolerance.

A Review of Withering in the Processing of Black Tea

Purpose: Tea is the most frequently consumed drink worldwide, next to water. About 75% of the total world tea production includes black tea, and withering is one of the major processing steps critical for the quality of black tea. There are two types of tea withering methods: physical and chemical withering. Withering can be achieved by using tat, tunnel, drum, and trough withering systems. Of these, the trough withering system is the most commonly used. This study focuses on the different types of withering, their effect on the various quality attributes of tea, and other aspects of withering methods that affect superior quality tea. Results: During physical withering, tea shoots loose moisture content that drops from approximately 70-80% to 60-70% (wet basis). This leads to increased sap concentration in tea leaf cells, and turgid leaves become flaccid. It also prevents tea shoots from damage during maceration or rolling. During chemical withering, complex chemical compounds break down into simpler ones volatile flavor compounds, amino acids, and simple sugars are formed. Withering increases enzymatic activities as well as the concentration of caffeine. Research indicates that about 15% of chlorophyll degradation occurs during withering. It is also reported that during withering lipids break down into simpler compounds and catechin levels decrease. Improper withering can cause adverse effects on subsequent manufacturing operations, such as maceration, rolling, fermentation, drying, and tea storage. Conclusion: Freshly harvested leaves are conditioned physically and chemically for subsequent processing. There is no specified withering duration, but 14-18 h is generally considered the optimum period. Proper and even withering of tea shoots greatly depends on the standards of plucking, handling, transportation, environmental conditions, time, and temperature. Thus, to ensure consumption of high quality tea, the withering step must be monitored carefully.

Isolation and Characterization of an Aluminum-resistant Mutant in Rice.

BackgroundAluminum (Al) toxicity represents a major constraint for crop production on acid soils. Rice is a high Al-resistant plant species among small-grain cereals, but its molecular mechanisms of Al resistance are not fully understood. We adopted a forward genetic screen strategy to uncover the Al-resistance mechanisms in rice. In this study, we screened an ethylmethylsulfone (EMS)-mutagenized library to isolate and characterize mutants with altered sensitivity to Al in rice.ResultsTreatment of an Al-intolerant indica variety Kasalath with 20 μM Al induced root swelling. This phenotype could be suppressed by the addition of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, an ethylene synthesis inhibitor), suggesting that increased production of ethylene is responsible for the root swelling under Al stress. By utilizing the root swelling as an indicator, we developed a highly effective method to screen Al-sensitive or -resistant mutants in rice. Through screening of ~5000 M2 lines, we identified 10 Al-sensitive mutants and one Al-resistant mutant ral1 (resistance to aluminum 1). ral1 mutant showed short root phenotype under normal growth condition, which was attributed to reduced cell elongation in the mutant. A dose-response experiment revealed that ral1 mutant was more resistant to Al than wild-type (WT) at all Al concentrations tested. The mutant was also more resistant to Al when grown in an acid soil. The mutant accumulated much lower Al in the root tips (0–1 cm) than WT. The mutant contained less Al in the cell wall of root tips than WT, whereas Al concentration in the cell sap was similar between WT and the mutant. In addition to Al, the mutant was also more resistant to Cd than WT. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of known Al-resistance genes were not increased in the mutant compared to WT. Genetic analysis indicated that the Al-resistance phenotype in ral1 mutant was controlled by a single recessive gene mapped on the long arm of chromosome 6.ConclusionsWe have developed a highly efficient method for the screening of rice mutants with altered Al sensitivity. We identified a novel mutant ral1 resistant to Al by this screening. The increased resistance of ral1 to Al toxicity is caused by the reduced Al binding to the cell wall of root tips and the responsible gene is mapped on the long arm of chromosome 6.

Significant contribution from foliage-derived ABA in regulating gas exchange in Pinus radiata.

The complex regulatory system controlling stomata involves physical and chemical signals that affect guard cell turgor to bring about changes in stomatal conductance (gs). Abscisic acid (ABA) closes stomata, yet the mechanisms controlling foliar ABA status in tree species remain unclear. The importance of foliage-derived ABA in regulating gas exchange was evaluated under treatments that affected phloem export through girdling and reduced water availability in the tree species, Pinus radiata (D. Don). Branch- and whole-plant girdling increased foliar ABA levels leading to declines in gs, despite no change in plant water status. Changes in gs were largely independent of the more transient increases in foliar non-structural carbohydrates (NSC), suggesting that gradual accumulation of foliar ABA was the primary mechanism for reductions in gs and assimilation. Whole-plant girdling eventually reduced root NSC, hindering root water uptake and decreasing foliar water potential, causing a dramatic increase in ABA level in leaves and concentrations in the xylem sap of shoots (4032 ng ml-1), while root xylem sap concentrations remained low (43 ng ml-1). Contrastingly, the drought treatment caused similar increases in xylem sap ABA in both roots and shoots, suggesting that declines in water potential result in relatively consistent changes in ABA along the hydraulic pathway. ABA levels in plant canopies can be regulated independently of changes in root water status triggered by changes by both phloem export and foliar water status.

Effects of Cadmium Treatment on the Uptake and Translocation of Sulfate in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and non-essential element for plants, whereas phytochelatins and glutathione are low-molecular-weight sulfur compounds that function as chelators and play important roles in detoxification. Cadmium exposure is known to induce the expression of sulfur-assimilating enzymes and sulfate uptake by roots. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Cd-induced changes remains largely unknown. Accordingly, we analyzed the effects of Cd treatment on the uptake and translocation of sulfate and accumulation of thiols in Arabidopsis thaliana Both wild type (WT) and null mutant (sel1-10 and sel1-18) plants of the sulfate transporter SULTR1;2 exhibited growth inhibition when treated with CdCl2 However, the mutant plants exhibited a lower growth rate and lower Cd accumulation. Cadmium treatment also upregulated the transcription of SULTR1;2 and sulfate uptake activity in WT plants, but not in mutant plants. In addition, the sulfate, phytochelatin and total sulfur contents were preferentially accumulated in the shoots of both WT and mutant plants treated with CdCl2, and sulfur K-edge XANES spectra suggested that sulfate was the main compound responsible for the increased sulfur content in the shoots of CdCl2-treated plants. Our results demonstrate that Cd-induced sulfate uptake depends on SULTR1;2 activity, and that CdCl2 treatment greatly shifts the distribution of sulfate to shoots, increases the sulfate concentration of xylem sap and upregulates the expression of SULTRs involved in root-to-shoot sulfate transport. Therefore, we conclude that root-to-shoot sulfate transport is stimulated by Cd and suggest that the uptake and translocation of sulfate in CdCl2-treated plants are enhanced by demand-driven regulatory networks.

ABA flow modelling in Ricinus communis exposed to salt stress and variable nutrition.

In a series of experiments with Ricinus communis, abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations in tissues and transport saps, its de novo biosynthesis, long-distance transport, and metabolism (degradation) were affected by nutritional conditions, nitrogen (N) source, and nutrient limitation, or salt stress. In the present study these data were statistically re-evaluated, and new correlations presented that underpin the importance of this universal phytohormone. The biggest differences in ABA concentration were observed in xylem sap. N source had the strongest effect; however, nutrient limitation (particularly phosphorus limitation) and salt also had significant effects. ABA was found in greater concentration in phloem sap compared with xylem sap; however, the effect of treatment on ABA concentration in phloem was lower. In the leaves, ABA concentration was most variable compared with the other tissues. This variation was only affected by the N source. In roots, ABA was significantly decreased by nutrient limitation. Of the compartments in which ABA was quantified, xylem sap ABA concentration was most significantly correlated with leaf stomatal conductance and leaf growth. Additionally, ABA concentration in xylem was significantly correlated to that in phloem, indicating a 6-fold concentration increase from xylem to phloem. The ABA flow model showed that biosynthesis of ABA in roots affected the xylem flow of ABA. Moreover, ABA concentration in xylem affected the degradation of the phytohormone in shoots and also its export from shoots via phloem. The role of phloem transport is discussed since it stimulates ABA metabolism in roots.

A Correlation of Rapid Cardy Meter Sap Test and ICP Spectrometry of Dry Tissue for Measuring Potassium (K+) Concentrations in Pak Choi (Brassica Rapa Chinensis Group)

ABSTRACTNutritional status of vegetable crops is often monitored by analysis of dried plant tissues, which is costly and often time consuming. Two greenhouse trials were conducted, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Magoon facilities, to evaluate the portable cardy ion meter (CIM) in determining potassium (K+) status in fresh petiole sap of pak choi as compared with standard laboratory methods. In the first greenhouse trial, three algae species (Gracilaria salicornia, Kappaphycus alvarezii, and Eucheuma denticulatum) were used to apply five rates of K+ (0, 84, 168,252, and 336 kg.ha−1). The pak choi was directly seeded into 4 L pots and was grown in peat moss. In the second greenhouse trial, K+ was provided through Eucheuma denticulatum and potassium nitrate (KNO3) at five rates (0,112, 168, 224, 280, and 336 kg.ha−1) in peat moss and soil media. At harvest, K+ concentrations in fresh petiole sap were analyzed immediately with CIM and the dried samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP) measurement. The results showed increase in leaf K+ content at higher rates and the maximum concentration of leaf K+ at 4500–5300 mg/L for sap and 8–9% for tissue was obtained when K+ was provided between 224 and 284 kg.ha−1. There was a close correlation between the CIM readings and the ICP method (r = 0.8048 and 0.8314) from the first and second GH results, respectively. The results suggest that the CIM could be used for the rapid monitoring of the relative K+ status of plants. The data further suggested 4500–5000 mg K/L for fresh petiole sap and 7.5% K+ in tissue as critical levels for K+ concentration in pak choi.

Effect of N and water supply on xylem composition in ‘Semillon’ and ‘Riesling’

The nitrogen (N) uptake is influenced by the amount of water and N applied to a vineyard, influencing considerably the development of the vines. The timing of N application is also critical for altering vine growth, the N directed to the berries and to the N reserves. The amount and the proportion of nitrate and glutamine N in the xylem depends on N supply. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of N and water supply on N uptake and translocation by assessing xylem nitrogenous compounds around veraison. Three-year-old 'Semillon' and 'Riesling' vines were grown in pots (26 L) that were designed to fit into a large root pressure chamber. Two levels of N fertiliser (3 and 7 g plant-1) were applied in five monthly applications from the four leaf stage; water supply was adjusted to either 50 or 100% evapotranspiration. Xylem sap samples were taken at the transpiration rate from a petiole connected to a sample vial two to three weeks before and after veraison. The collected xylem samples were stored at -80°C and analysed for amino acid and nitrate concentrations by HPLC. Generally, nitrate and amino acid concentrations were higher in the xylem sap before veraison in both cultivars. The high N treatment resulted in significantly elevated sap N concentration before veraison in 'Semillon'. In contrast xylem sap samples taken after veraison from the high N treatment resulted in slightly lower N levels. Nitrate levels in 'Riesling' xylem sap increased throughout the collection period. 'Semillon' tended to have higher glutamine levels under low water supply at both sampling dates. In contrast 'Riesling' showed an opposite trend under water restriction after veraison. Glutamine levels were slightly reduced of limited watered plants while nitrate concentrations significantly increased. The lower N xylem sap concentration after veraison suggests that N was translocated to the berries from other vine organs rather than provided by uptake. The work also indicates that cultivars can respond differently in their N uptake under restricted water supply. N distribution might vary between grapevine cultivars under low water supply indicated by the different responses of 'Riesling' and 'Semillon'.

Xylem ion balance in tomato plants under alkali stress

In many areas of China, alkalinity (high pH) had strongly limit crops productivity. Control of ion loading into the xylem has been repeatedly named as a crucial factor determining plant salt tolerance. To investigate the role of roots in alkali tolerance of tomato, we tested the ion balance in root xylem of alkali stressed tomato plants. Two alkaline salts (NaHCO3 and Na2CO3) were mixed in a 9:1 molar ratio as the alkali stress treatments. Under alkali stress condition or control condition, xylem sap samples were collected by cutting plant stems near to cotyledon vestige, and then all mineral elements in excreted xylem sap were measured. The results showed that alkali stress decreased the concentrations of K + , Ca 2+ , Cl - , and NO3 - in the xylem sap, and increased Na + concentration, Na + /K + and Na + /Ca 2+ . Low alkali stress (pH 8.6 and 22.5 mM Na + ) and strong alkali stress (pH 8.8 and 45 mM Na + ) have almost same pH but different Na + ; however, under both stresses ion concentrations in the xylem sap were similar, indicating that the uptakes of inorganic ions were inhibited by high-pH but not by Na + .

IMPROVEMENT OF BORASSUS AKEASSII WINES QUALITY BY CONTROLLED FERMENTATION USING SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE STRAINS

Palm wine produced traditionally and consumed by many people around the world and specifically in Burkina Faso posed health risks because of questionable quality of wine produced by mix culture fermentation and the use of antiseptics for the stabilization. In order to improve its quality, Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from Borassus akeassii wines and identified by amplification and RFLP analysis of the 5-8S-ITS region were used for in vitro fermentation of unfermented palm sap. The physicochemical characteristics of the sap were measured before and after fermentation process by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and the microbiological quality were also performed. HPLC analysis showed that glucose and fructose concentration in palm sap were 37.0 and 27.6 g/L respectively, ethanol content was ranged between 2.76 and 5.31 % (g/mL) for controlled fermentation and 2.20 % (g/mL) for spontaneous fermentation. Lactic and acetic acids were ranged between 0.1 and 0.3 g/L and 1.5 and 1.6 g/L for controlled fermentation versus 2.5 and 3.1 g/L and the spontaneous fermentation respectively. Coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus were detected only in the unfermented palm sap and the wine fermented spontaneously. Principal component analysis showed a good separation between spontaneous and controlled fermentation. Sterilization and controlled fermentation of the unfermented sap with palm wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains led to the improvement of palm wine quality.

Selection of Plants for Sap Feeding by the White-Fronted WoodpeckerMelanerpes cactorumin Chaco Dry Forest, Argentina

Abstract. Woodpeckers feed primarily on insects, larvae and other arthropods; however, several members of this family include plant products in their diets, such as sap. Among them, the genera Sphyrapicus and Melanerpes include the most species that specialize in sap consumption. In semiarid forests of Argentina, sap is an important food item in the diet of the White-fronted Woodpecker, Melanerpes cactorum. The aim of this study is to investigate why White-fronted Woodpeckers only consume sap from certain plants while avoiding other available plants of the same species and explore seasonality of their plant selection. We expected that combinations of plant traits (i.e. sugars concentration of sap, sap flow intensity, plant size, plant health and plant microhabitat), rather than one particular trait, determine which tree they select for sap feeding in different seasons. We examined five plant species: Sarcotoxicum salicifolium, Prosopis ruscifolia, Ziziphus mistol, Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco and Stetson...

Diagnostics of subtropical plants functional state by cluster analysis

The article presents an application example of statistical methods for data analysis on diagnosis of the adaptive capacity of subtropical plants varieties. We depicted selection indicators and basic physiological parameters that were defined as diagnostic. We used evaluation on a set of parameters of water regime, there are: determination of water deficit of the leaves, determining the fractional composition of water and detection parameters of the concentration of cell sap (CCS) (for tea culture flushes). These settings are characterized by high liability and high responsiveness to the effects of many abiotic factors that determined the particular care in the selection of plant material for analysis and consideration of the impact on sustainability. On the basis of the experimental data calculated the coefficients of pair correlation between climatic factors and used physiological indicators. The result was a selection of physiological and biochemical indicators proposed to assess the adaptability and included in the basis of methodical recommendations on diagnostics of the functional state of the studied cultures. Analysis of complex studies involving a large number of indicators is quite difficult, especially does not allow to quickly identify the similarity of new varieties for their adaptive responses to adverse factors, and, therefore, to set general requirements to conditions of cultivation. Use of cluster analysis suggests that in the analysis of only quantitative data; define a set of variables used to assess varieties (and the more sampling, the more accurate the clustering will happen), be sure to ascertain the measure of similarity (or difference) between objects. It is shown that the identification of diagnostic features, which are subjected to statistical processing, impact the accuracy of the varieties classification. Selection in result of the mono-clusters analysis (variety tea Kolhida; hazelnut Lombardsky red; variety kiwi Monty and Hydrangea forma rosea) shown as a helpful tool to detect drastically different varieties.

Soil warming enhances the hidden shift of elemental stoichiometry by elevated CO2 in wheat.

Increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and associated soil warming along with global climate change are expected to have large impacts on grain mineral nutrition in wheat. The effects of CO2 elevation (700 μmol l−1) and soil warming (+2.4 °C) on K, Ca and Mg concentrations in the xylem sap and their partitioning in different organs of wheat plant during grain filling were investigated. Results showed that the combination of elevated [CO2] and soil warming improved wheat grain yield, but decreased plant K, Ca and Mg accumulation and their concentrations in the leaves, stems, roots and grains. The reduced grain mineral concentration was attributed to the lowered mineral uptake as exemplified by both the decreased stomatal conductance and mineral concentration in the xylem sap. These findings suggest that future higher atmospheric [CO2] and warmer soil conditions may decrease the dietary availability of minerals from wheat crops. Breeding wheat cultivars possessing higher ability of mineral uptake at reduced xylem flux in exposure to climate change should be a target.

Intraspecific Variability of Floral Nectar Volume and Composition in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera).

Numerous angiosperms rely on pollinators to ensure efficient flower fertilization, offering a reward consisting of nourishing nectars produced by specialized floral cells, known as nectaries. Nectar components are believed to derive from phloem sap that is enzymatically processed and transformed within nectaries. An increasing body of evidence suggests that nectar composition, mainly amino acids, may influence pollinator attraction and fidelity. This notwithstanding, little is known about the range of natural variability in nectar content for crop species. Sugar and amino acid composition of nectar harvested from field-grown plants at the 63–65 phenological stage was determined for a set of 44 winter genotypes of rapeseed, a bee-pollinated crop. Significant differences were found for solute concentrations, and an even higher variability was evident for nectar volumes, resulting in striking differences when results were expressed on a single flower basis. The comparison of nectar and phloem sap from a subset of eight varieties pointed out qualitative and quantitative diversities with respect to both sugars and amino acids. Notably, amino acid concentration in phloem sap was up to 100 times higher than in nectar. Phloem sap showed a much more uniform composition, suggesting that nectar variability depends mainly on nectary metabolism. A better understanding of the basis of nectar production would allow an improvement of seed set efficiency, as well as hive management and honey production.

Silicon moderated the K deficiency by improving the plant-water status in sorghum.

Although silicon (Si) has been widely reported to alleviate plant nutrient deficiency, the underlying mechanism in potassium (K) deficiency is poorly understood. In this study, sorghum seedlings were treated with Si under a K deficiency condition for 15 days. Under control conditions, plant growth was not affected by Si application. The growth and water status were reduced by K-deficient stress, but Si application significantly alleviated these decreases. The leaf gas exchanges, whole-plant hydraulic conductance (Kplant), and root hydraulic conductance (Lpr) were reduced by K deficiency, but Si application moderated the K-deficiency-induced reductions, suggesting that Si alleviated the plant hydraulic conductance. In addition, 29% of Si-alleviated transpiration was eliminated by HgCl2 treatment, suggesting that aquaporin was not the primary cause for the reversal of plant hydraulic conductance. Moreover, the K+ concentration in xylem sap was significantly increased and the xylem sap osmotic potential was decreased by Si application, suggesting that the major cause of Si-induced improvement in hydraulic conductance could be ascribed to the enhanced xylem sap K+ concentration, which increases the osmotic gradient and xylem hydraulic conductance. The results of this study show that Si mediates K+ accumulation in xylem, which ultimately alleviates the plant-water status under the K-deficient condition.

An empirical model predicting xylem sap ABA concentration from root biomass and soil moisture distribution in plants under partial root-zone drying

Partial root-zone drying (PRD) is predicted to increase ABA concentration in the xylem sap ([X-ABA]) without changing leaf water status, thus partially closing the stomata which may enhance plant water use efficiency. Predicting ([X-ABA]) from soil moisture and root distribution data are essential to optimize the application of this technique. Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plants were grown in split pots, designed to allow a wide range of root mass distribution to either compartment, and PRD was applied. [X-ABA] was best predicted with an exponential model using the weighted (by root water uptake fraction - RWUF) average of root ABA concentration ([R-ABA]) in each compartment. This confirmed previous results reporting that a model accounting for RWUF is the best predictor of [X-ABA]. RWUF was equal to root mass fraction (RMF) when soil volumetric water content (θv) in the dry compartment was above 0.18 cm3 cm-3, linearly related to RMF when θv 0.7, and null otherwise. [R-ABA] in the dry side had basal values (of 100-150 ng g-1 DW) when θv>0.18 and increased linearly with RMF above that threshold. Therefore, the proportion of roots in dry soil affected [X-ABA] by increasing both root water uptake fraction and ABA accumulation. [R-ABA] in the wet side was also stable when the dry side had θv>0.18 but was linearly related to local θv above that threshold and not to RMF. Simulation modelling showed that irrigating more than 1/3 of the total root mass during PRD had little impact on [X-ABA].

Dissolved atmospheric gas in xylem sap measured with membrane inlet mass spectrometry.

A new method is described for measuring dissolved gas concentrations in small volumes of xylem sap using membrane inlet mass spectrometry. The technique can be used to determine concentrations of atmospheric gases, such as argon, as reported here, or for any dissolved gases and their isotopes for a variety of applications, such as rapid detection of trace gases from groundwater only hours after they were taken up by trees and rooting depth estimation. Atmospheric gas content in xylem sap directly affects the conditions and mechanisms that allow for gas removal from xylem embolisms, because gas can dissolve into saturated or supersaturated sap only under gas pressure that is above atmospheric pressure. The method was tested for red trumpet vine, Distictis buccinatoria (Bignoniaceae), by measuring atmospheric gas concentrations in sap collected at times of minimum and maximum daily temperature and during temperature increase and decline. Mean argon concentration in xylem sap did not differ significantly from saturation levels for the temperature and pressure conditions at any time of collection, but more than 40% of all samples were supersaturated, especially during the warm parts of day. There was no significant diurnal pattern, due to high variability between samples.

Nitrogen Use Efficiency Is Mediated by Vacuolar Nitrate Sequestration Capacity in Roots of Brassica napus

Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crop plants is an important breeding target to reduce excessive use of chemical fertilizers, with substantial benefits to farmers and the environment. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), allocation of more NO3 (-) to shoots was associated with higher NUE; however, the commonality of this process across plant species have not been sufficiently studied. Two Brassica napus genotypes were identified with high and low NUE. We found that activities of V-ATPase and V-PPase, the two tonoplast proton-pumps, were significantly lower in roots of the high-NUE genotype (Xiangyou15) than in the low-NUE genotype (814); and consequently, less vacuolar NO3 (-) was retained in roots of Xiangyou15. Moreover, NO3 (-) concentration in xylem sap, [(15)N] shoot:root (S:R) and [NO3 (-)] S:R ratios were significantly higher in Xiangyou15. BnNRT1.5 expression was higher in roots of Xiangyou15 compared with 814, while BnNRT1.8 expression was lower. In both B. napus treated with proton pump inhibitors or Arabidopsis mutants impaired in proton pump activity, vacuolar sequestration capacity (VSC) of NO3 (-) in roots substantially decreased. Expression of NRT1.5 was up-regulated, but NRT1.8 was down-regulated, driving greater NO3 (-) long-distance transport from roots to shoots. NUE in Arabidopsis mutants impaired in proton pumps was also significantly higher than in the wild type col-0. Taken together, these data suggest that decrease in VSC of NO3 (-) in roots will enhance transport to shoot and essentially contribute to higher NUE by promoting NO3 (-) allocation to aerial parts, likely through coordinated regulation of NRT1.5 and NRT1.8.