Uptake Of Mineral Elements Research Articles

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal infection effects on sorghum growth, phosphorus efficiency, and mineral element uptake

Abstract Four P efficient and four P inefficient sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes were grown with viable and nonviable vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) [Glomus fasciculatum (Thaxter sensu Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe] inocula to study VAM effects on sorghum growth and mineral element uptake. Sorghum plants infected with VAM had 14 times higher shoot and 13 times higher root dry matter yields than uninfected plants. Shoots of VAM infected plants had higher P, K, Mg, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents than shoots of uninfected plants. Infected sorghum plants utilized greater amounts of P to produce unit shoot dry matter than uninfected plants. Therefore, VAM infected sorghum plants were less efficient in P utilization than uninfected plants. Root length had high positive correlations with shoot P, K, Mg, S, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents. Higher P uptake of VAM infected sorghum plants was attributed to larger absorption surface areas because of root proliferation as well as to VAM hyphae ex...

MINERAL DYNAMICS IN PERENNIAL RYEGRASS AS INFLUENCED BY CROP MANAGEMENT AND PLOIDY

The effects of cutting/fertility management and ploidy type on the apparent recovery efficiencies of N, P and K, and the seasonal uptakes and average concentrations of minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B and Na) were studied over three production years in four diploid and four tetraploid cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Two systems of management were studied — four cuts a year with 300:87:165 kg ha−1 of N:P:K (4C-300N) and eight cuts a year with 450:131:248 kg ha−1 (8C-450N). The statistically significant (P < 0.05) treatment effects that resulted in responses of biological importance included the management system, the production year, the cultivar (within ploidy type), and the production year × management system interaction; ploidy had no agronomically significant effect. The production year × management system interaction had biologically important effects on the apparent recovery efficiency of N, the uptake of Mg, S and Fe, and the tissue concentration of Fe. The apparent recovery efficiency of N increased progressively over years from 63 to 71% with 4C-300N management and remained constant at 60–63% with 8C-450N management. The apparent recovery efficiency of P increased with production year from 34 to 41% and was greater with 4C-300N than 8C-450N management (43 vs. 33%). More K was recovered in the plant tissue than was supplied by the fertilizer in each production year. This effect was greater with 4C-300N than 8C-450N management (134 vs. 112%). If all herbage is removed, higher rates of K application are required to maintain soil-K status. With the exception of K, the production year (viz. environment) was a controlling factor in the uptake and concentration of mineral elements and, in general, the uptake of an element paralleled its concentration. Management system was the only treatment effect having a dominant influence on K uptake (223 vs. 279 kg ha−1 for 4C-300N and 8C-450N, respectively) and concentration (23.8 vs. 31.1 g kg−1 for 4C-300N and 8C-450N, respectively). The cultivar, Tetrelite, had lower concentrations of most minerals than the other cultivars. This different metabolic requirement for minerals may be due to the hybrid nature of this cultivar and/or the environment in which it was bred, since it was the only cultivar not originating from western Europe. The fluctuations of mineral concentrations and uptakes both between and within growing seasons must be examined on an individual cut basis, and in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions for growth, to elucidate cause-effect relationships and to determine the extent to which mineral intake requirements of ruminant livestock can be met throughout a growing season.Key words: Grass, mineral content, nutrient uptake, recovery efficiency, ryegrass (perennial), Lolium perenne

Chromosomal and cytoplasmic effects on uptake and accumulation of iron, phosphorus, and calcium in triticum aestivum L

Abstract Pot experiments were conducted using two types of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv “Chinese Spring) material: ditelocentric lines and alloplasmic lines with donor cytoplasms from different genera of Aegilops and Triticum to elucidate the genetic control for uptake of Fe, P, and Ca in the grain and straw. The soil used was a leached chernozem fertilizer to reach an optimal P level with 0.2 to 0.3 g P, 0.3 g N, and 0.25 g K kg soil. The results revealed that a large number of genes control Fe, P, and Ca uptake and distribution in the reproductive and vegetative organs of wheat plants. Most of the 21 chromosomes were involved in the locations of the genes, which differed in the direction and strength of action and their interrelationships in the germplasm. The cytoplasm exerted a definite modifying effect on the uptake of the Fe, P, and Ca. This information sheds new light on the genetic control of plant uptake of mineral elements, especially for some elements known to be antagonistic to each other (...

Response of red spruce and balsam fir seedlings to aluminum toxicity in nutrient solutions

Red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) and balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) were grown in nutrient solutions containing 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L aluminum (Al) at pH 3.8. Seedlings died only when placed directly in solutions containing Al without first being conditioned to growth in a hydroponic system. In preconditioned seedlings, no evidence of Al injury was noted in the tops of seedlings at any level of Al, except for small reductions in shoot growth. Aluminum toxicity symptoms in roots, however, were well developed, though spruce showed less tolerance than fir. Inhibition of root growth in both species was first evident at 50 mg/L Al, root lengths decreasing with increasing concentrations of Al. Spruce seedlings at Al concentrations of 100 mg/L and higher were characterized by thickened, stunted, dark brown roots. Root deterioration was caused by Al-induced destruction of epidermal and cortical cells. Although root elongation was severely restricted in spruce and fir, root dry weight was not significantly reduced. Aluminum decreased seedling uptake of most mineral elements; manganese, magnesium, and zinc were affected most and boron and phosphorus least.

An Improved Method for Non-destructive Measurements of the pH at the Root-Soil Interface (Rhizosphere)

A simple and non-destructive method is described which allows the measurement of the rhizosphere pH of soil-grown plants simultaneously, by optical methods (pH indicator) and by microelectrodes. The surface of the root-soil interface is covered by a prefixed thin sheet ( ~3 mm) of agar mixed with a pH indicator (e.g. bromocresol green). Following observations of the pH changes in the agar, detailed measurements of the pH can be made by pushing antimony microelectrodes through the agar into the rhizosphere. Examples are presented of the pH gradients along the roots of both, 4 year old Norway Spruce trees supplied with NH(4)-N or NO(3)-N (pot experiment) and 60 year old Norway Spruce trees grown on acid mineral soil. In long unbranched roots a distinct pH gradient occurs in the rhizosphere with high values in basal and apical zones and low values in the zone 2 - 5 em behind the root apex. The rhizosphere pH can therefore be considerably higher or lower compared to the bulk soil. This method can be used to accurately measure the pH gradient across the rhizosphere, even by distances less than 1 mm from the root surface. These root-induced pH changes could considerably affect microbial activity and solubility of mineral elements in the rhizosphere and thus also mineral element uptake particularly on acid soils.

Nitrate/ammonium ratio effects on mineral element uptake by sorghum1

Abstract Experiments were conducted using different NO3 –/NH4 + ratios to determine the effects of these sources of N on mineral element uptake by sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] plants grown in nutrient solution. The NO3 –/NH4 + ratios in nutrient solution were 200/0, 195/5, 190/10, and 160/40 mg N L–1. Nutrient solutions were sampled daily and plants harvested every other day during the 12‐day treatment period. Moderately severe Fe deficiencies were observed on leaves of plants grown with 200/0 NO3 –/NH4 + solutions, but not on the leaves of plants grown with the other NO3 –/NH4 + ratios. As plants aged, less Fe, Mn, and Cu were translocated from the roots to leaves and leaf/root ratios of these elements decreased dramatically in plants grown with 200/0 NO3 –/NH4 + solutions. Extensive amounts of Fe, Mn, and Cu accumulated in or on the roots of plants grown with 200/0 NO3 –/NH4 + solutions. Manganese and Cu may have interacted strongly with Fe to inhibit Fe translocation to leaves and to induce Fe deficiency. As the proportion of NH4 + in solution increased, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn concentrations decreased in the leaves, and Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu concentrations decreased in roots. Potassium and Zn tended to increase in roots as NH4 + in solution increased.

Studies on Mineral Nutrition of Hydrilla verticillata

The effects of mineral element uptake on the growth and development of the aquatic plant hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle.] were studied in a short-term experiment under laboratory conditions. On a dry-weight basis, maximum growth of hydrilla plants was obtained at a 0.016 ppm P and 5 ppm Ca in the growing media. Hydrilla responded favorably to high concentrations of K (40 ppm in the growing media). The presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) reduced uptake of K, Cu, Fe, Mn and did not significantly affect the uptake of Ca or P. Thus the uptake of K, Cu, Fe, and Mn by hydrilla appears to be dependent on metabolic energy.

Plant genotype differences in the uptake, translocation, accumulation, and use of mineral elements required for plant growth

Plant genotype differences in the uptake, translocation, accumulation, and use of mineral elements required for plant growth

SODIUM RELATIONS IN DESERT PLANTS

Plants native to the Qattara Depression of Egypt show remarkable zonation in response to changing environmental factors. These factors include: relief, soil texture, soil salt content, relative proportions of ions, and quality of available water. Most species also show considerable selectivity in the absorption of mineral elements. This is indicated by unusually high or low concentrations of specific elements in a species in comparison with concentrations of the same elements in other species growing under similar conditions, and by the fact that a species might have unusually high concentrations of one or several elements, but unusually low contents of other elements. Selective uptake of mineral elements by plants is discussed, taking into account their distributional pattern.

THE BIOLOGY OF MYCORRHIZA IN THE ERICACEAE

SUMMARYPlants with ericoid mycorrhizas successfully colonize acidic soils containing high levels of heavy metals. While mycorrhizal infection normally enhances uptake of mineral elements, such a function in metalliferous soils would be disadvantageous. The role of infection in heavy metal tolerance was therefore investigated in three ericaceous species. Plants of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium macrocarpon and Rhododendron ponticum were grown in the mycorrhizal and non‐mycorrhizal conditions in sand containing a dilute nutrient solution supplemented with Cu or Zn at 0, 10, 25, 50 and 75 and 0, 25, 50, 100, 150 mg−1 respectively. Fungal endophytes isolated from these host plants were also grown in pure culture over a wide range of concentrations of both metals. Mycorrhizal plants showed some growth in all metal treatments, whereas non‐mycorrhizal plants failed to grow in all but the lowest metal levels. The endophytes all grew vigorously up to 75 mg Cu 1−1 and 150 mg Zn 1−1. In all but one case, the mycorrhizal plants had a significantly lower concentration of metal in their shoots. Concentrations of metal in roots were higher in mycorrhizal plants. It is proposed that the hyphal complexes of the endophyte provide adsorptive surfaces within the cortical cells of the host roots, thus facilitating exclusion of metals from the shoot and avoidance of metal toxicity. The ecological significance of these observations is discussed.

Studies of Absorption of 32P, 59FE, and 45CA by Water-Milfoil (Myriophyllum Exalbescens Fernald)

A method was developed for determining uptake and translocation of mineral elements by intact submersed aquatic vascular plants in laboratory and field studies. Autoradiographs and radioactivity measurements provided direct evidence that 32P, 59Fe, and 45Ca were absorbed by the roots of Myriophyllum exalbescens and translocated to the shoot tissues. Similar evidence was obtained for absorption of 32P by the shoots and translocation to the roots. Data from experiments designed to compare the effect of substrate type (sand or muck) and the presence or absence of light showed no significant difference in the amounts of 32P absorbed by roots. Translocation of 59Fe from root to shoot tissues occurred mainly when plants were rooted in muck. 45Ca translocation from roots to shoots was greatest for plants rooted in sand and maintained in the light. 32P was generally distributed throughout Myriophyllum as revealed by autoradiography, with some accumulation occurring at the nodal and building regions. 59Fe and 45Ca were not translocated as readily but some accumulation of each occurred in the stem. 32P absorbed by the roots of Myriophyllum was translocated to the shoot system and released to the surrounding water. Experimental evidence showed that injury to submersed hydrophytes can result in additional release of phosphate to the water. The rate of release is increased as a result of physical damage to the shoot. This provides an additional pathway for the cycling of phosphorus in freshwater environments.

Influence of Nitrogen Nutrition and Suckering Practice on Content and Distribution of Certain Mineral Elements in Burley Tobacco1

AbstractNicotiana tabacum L. cv. ‘Burley 21’ was grown in the field at Lexington, Ky., to determine the influence of N nutrition and suckering practices on concentration and distribution of principal mineral elements in different plant parts. Generally, total plant contents of K, Ca, Mg, and Mn all increased as the N fertilizer rate was increased from 112 to 224 kg N/ha, but increasing the rate to 448 kg N/ha provided no further increases in uptake with exception of Mn. The Mn content was nearly doubled by increasing the rate of N from 224 to 448 kg/ha. As an average of all treatments, total uptake of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn was 12, 211, 152, 26, and 0.8 kg/ha, respectively.Practices to control suckers (axillary buds) and tops (seed heads), as well as the harvest date, influenced both total uptake and distribution of mineral elements among plant parts. Total uptake decreased with increasing degree of sucker control and was least for plants treated with maleic hydrazide. Data for harvest date indicated that considerable redistribution of elements occurred among plant parts between harvest dates. Elements generally considered to have the greatest mobility in plants, e.g., P, K, and to a lesser extent Mg, were present in relatively high amounts in tops and suckers and in relatively low amounts in leaves. The reverse was true for Ca and Mn.

Effect of Lithium on Growth, Salt Absorption, and Chemical Composition of Sugar Beet Plants1

AbstractNicotiana tabacum L. cv. ‘Burley 21’ was grown in the field at Lexington, Ky., to determine the influence of N nutrition and suckering practices on concentration and distribution of principal mineral elements in different plant parts. Generally, total plant contents of K, Ca, Mg, and Mn all increased as the N fertilizer rate was increased from 112 to 224 kg N/ha, but increasing the rate to 448 kg N/ha provided no further increases in uptake with exception of Mn. The Mn content was nearly doubled by increasing the rate of N from 224 to 448 kg/ha. As an average of all treatments, total uptake of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn was 12, 211, 152, 26, and 0.8 kg/ha, respectively.Practices to control suckers (axillary buds) and tops (seed heads), as well as the harvest date, influenced both total uptake and distribution of mineral elements among plant parts. Total uptake decreased with increasing degree of sucker control and was least for plants treated with maleic hydrazide. Data for harvest date indicated that considerable redistribution of elements occurred among plant parts between harvest dates. Elements generally considered to have the greatest mobility in plants, e.g., P, K, and to a lesser extent Mg, were present in relatively high amounts in tops and suckers and in relatively low amounts in leaves. The reverse was true for Ca and Mn.

Plant indicators in Iraq

Native plants of Iraq have shown considerable variation in their ability to accumulate mineral elements. Halophytes such asSeidlitzia rosmarinus andHalocnemum strobilaceum indicate very high soil sodium contents, and others high magnesium and sulphate contents. Selectivity in the uptake and accumulation of mineral elements was exhibited by many native plants. Surprisingly high or low concentrations of particular elements were found in certain species in comparison with other species collected from the same site and at the same time. Magnesium and sulphate concentrations were as high as 5.80 and 12.16 per cent, respectively, when the concentrations in other species growing on the same site were as low as 0.59 and 1.29 per cent respectively. Selectivity was also indicated by the ability of certain species to accumulate a specific element from soils with high or low concentration of that element.

Effect of Less Soil Moisture at Ripening Stage upon Growth and Nutrient-Absorption of Rice Plant : Studies on Drought Damage upon Growth and Mineral Element Uptake of Crops (Part 1)

Effect of Less Soil Moisture at Ripening Stage upon Growth and Nutrient-Absorption of Rice Plant : Studies on Drought Damage upon Growth and Mineral Element Uptake of Crops (Part 1)

Preparing Whole-Leaf Radioautographs for Studying Translocation

The development of isotopic and radioautographic techniques during the past decade has provided a strong impetus for studies in many fields of plant physiology. The technique of radioautography of dried whole plants or parts of plants has been particularly useful in studying translocation of organic solutes ( 1, 6); uptake and distributions of mineral elements (7); screening methods to establish the effectiveness of herbicides (3), and host-parasite relationships (8). Since the method has been so widely used it is important to examine the method critically in order to properly interpret results. In 1957 Pallas and Crafts (6) pointed out the difficulties that could be encountered when studying distribution of carboxyl-labelled 2,4-D in plant tissues. They applied a small drop of the herbicide for 1 minute to the mid vein of one primary leaf of two bean plants. Then one plant was freeze-dried and the second was pressed between blotters and air dried. Subsequent exposure to X-ray film revealed that in the air dried plant there was, during its drying, movement of label throughout the plant, while in the freeze-dried plant there was no such movement even within the leaf blade. Our paper compares radioautographs of leaves containing both C14 and p32. Such a comparison serves as a basis for choosing methods that do not give rise to artifacts.

Seasonal Changes in the Uptake and Distribution of Mineral Elements in Apple Trees

Seasonal Changes in the Uptake and Distribution of Mineral Elements in Apple Trees