Puccinellia tenuiflora Exhibits Stronger Selectivity for K+ over Na+ than Wheat

Abstract

The characteristics of selectivity for K⁺ over Na⁺ by the roots of the halophyte Puccinellia tenuiflora were investigated in comparison with the glycophyte wheat (Triticum aestivum). Under various NaCl concentrations, the concentrations of K⁺ in the shoots of P. tenuiflora were 16–24% lower than those of wheat, whereas the concentrations of K⁺ in Puccinellia roots were 2.8–4.0 times higher than those of wheat. In 200 mM NaCl, the concentrations of Na⁺ in shoots of P. tenuiflora and wheat were similar under high K⁺ levels, but the concentrations of Na⁺ in wheat were 1.6 times higher than those in Puccinellia under low K⁺ levels. The concentrations of K⁺ in roots of P. tenuiflora were 1.5–2.0 times higher than those of wheat under low K⁺ levels. Formulas are given for calculating net selective absorption (SA) capacity and selective transport (ST) capacity by roots for K⁺ over Na⁺. We interpret SA as the net capacity of selectively absorbing K⁺ over Na⁺ by epidermal and cortical cells of whole plant roots into the root symplast. ST could reflect the net capacity of selection for K⁺ over Na⁺ transport from whole root stelar symplast to the xylem vessels. The lower ST value of P. tenuiflora might be the reason for accumulation of K⁺ in its roots. The SA values of P. tenuiflora and wheat were approximately equivalent in the low-affinity K⁺ uptake range. The SA values of the former were about two times higher than that of the latter in the high-affinity K⁺ uptake range, showing the root high-affinity K⁺ uptake system of the halophyte P. tenuiflora has a stronger capacity for K⁺ uptake.     

Effects of excess manganese and metal chelators on micronutrient concentrations in the xylem sap of iron-deficient barley plants

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse for 14 d under Fe-deficient conditions before treatment for 3 h with excess Mn (25 µM) and equimolar amounts of plant-borne (phytosiderophores, PS) or synthetic (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, EDTA) metal chelators. The xylem sap was collected for 3 h and analyzed for PS, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and citrate concentrations. Excess Mn in the feeding medium decreased the concentrations of PS, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the xylem sap. Addition of 25 µM Mn and an equimolar amount of PS to the feeding medium increased the concentrations of PS, Fe, and Cu in the xylem sap, while EDTA decreased the concentrations of PS and the above nutrients. Excess Mn in the feeding medium increased the Mn concentration in the xylem sap and this increase was more pronounced with the addition of PS to the feeding medium, while EDTA had a depressing effect. These findings suggested that the roots of Fe-deficient barley plants can enhance the absorption and/or translocation of both Mn²⁺ and a PS-Mn complex. Addition of excess Mn to the feeding medium, irrespective of chelators, did not affect the xylem citrate concentration, indicating that citrate may not contribute to the translocation of metal micronutrients. In the xylem sap of Fe-deficient barley plants, the concentrations of metal micronutrients were positively correlated with the concentrations of PSG     

Chemical forms of iron in xylem sap from graminaceous and non-graminaceous plants

Graminaceous plants can take up iron-phytosiderophore complexes, whereas non-graminaceous plants absorb ferrous ions after the reduction of ferric compounds at the root cell membranes. The iron (Fe) in the roots may be transported to the aerial plant parts through the xylem. We compared the chemical forms in xylem sap collected from the cut stems of three graminaceous plants (rice [Oryza sativa L.], maize [Zea mays L.], barley [Hordenum vulgare L.]) and three non-graminaceous plants (tomato [Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.], soybean [Glycine max Merr.], castor bean [Ricinus communis L.]) grown in composite soils for the concentrations of iron and iron-chelating compounds (nicotianamine, phytosiderophores, citrate). We also fractionated the xylem saps by size-exclusion chromatography to gain insight into the chemical forms of iron. The Fe concentrations in the xylem sap ranged from 9 to 40 μM. Nicotianamine was found in the xylem sap from all the plants examined, with higher concentrations in the non-graminaceous plants. In contrast, phytosiderophores (2’-deoxymugineic acid and mugineic acid) were predominantly detected in the graminaceous plants. The concentrations of free citrate varied greatly (from 4 to 2200 μM) among the six plant species. The xylem sap iron in non-graminaceous plants may form two types of Fe-citrate, whereas in graminaceous plants, the bound Fe forms may be largely two types of Fe-citrate with various Fe-phytosiderophores.     

硅缓解水稻根系铁毒害

Silicon (Si) can enhance the resistance of plants to many abiotic stresses. To explore whether Si ameliorates Fe2+ toxicity, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate whether and how Si detoxifies Fe2+ toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots. Results indicated that rice cultivar Tianyou 998 (TY998) showed greater sensitivity to Fe2+ toxicity than rice cultivar Peizataifeng (PZTF). Treatment with 0.1 mmol L-1 Fe2+ inhibited TY998 root elongation and root biomass significantly. Reddish iron plaque was formed on root surface of both cultivars. TY998 had a higher amount of iron plaque than PZTF. Addition of Si to the solution of Fe treatment decreased the amount of iron plaque on root surface by 17.6% to 37.1% and iron uptake in rice roots by 37.0% to 40.3%, and subsequently restored root elongation triggered by Fe2+ toxicity by 13.5% in the TY998. Compared with Fe treatment, the addition of 1 mmol L-1 Si to the solution of Fe treatment increased xylem sap flow by 19.3% to 24.8% and root-shoot Fe transportation by 45.0% to 78.6%. Furthermore, Si addition to the solution of Fe treatment induced root cell wall to thicken. These results suggested that Si could detoxify Fe2+ toxicity and Si-mediated amelioration of Fe2+ toxicity in rice roots was associated with less iron plaque on root surface and more Fe transportation from roots to shoots.     

Cadmium concentrations in the phloem sap of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) treated with a nutrient solution containing cadmium

To obtain direct evidence for the translocation of cadmium (Cd) via the phloem, we measured the Cd concentrations in the phloem sap of 5-week-old rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Kantou) treated with a nutrient solution containing Cd. The phloem sap was collected from the leaf sheaths through the cut ends of stylets of the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål.). Cd concentrations in the phloem sap from the plants treated with 10 and 100 µM Cd for 3 d were 4.6 ± 3.4 and 17.7 ± 9.8 µM, respectively. Detection of Cd in the phloem sap indicated that Cd was translocated via sieve tubes in rice plants. Cd concentrations in the xylem exudate collected from the cut basis of the leaf sheaths of the plants treated with 10 and 100 µM Cd for 3 d were 18.9 ± 6.4 and 64.2 ± 14.6 µM, respectively. Cd concentrations in the phloem sap were significantly lower than those in the xylem exudate, indicating that Cd is not concentrated during the transfer from xylem to phloem. To our knowledge, this is the first determination of Cd concentrations in the phloem sap of plants, and the first direct proof that Cd is translocated via sieve tubes in rice plants.     

Effect Of Mineral Nutrition on Metabolic Change Induced in Crop Plant Roots (I)

Attempts have long been made to study the effect of mineral nutrition on the metabolic substances in excised roots from a numcer of plant species, but very little attention has teen given to an approach to the problem by using the bleeding sap from crop plants. Recently, however, an increasing number of reports about the occurrence of organic substances in bleeding sap from crop plants has completely revised an old view that xylem sap was essentially a rather dilute aqueous solution of inorganic salts. Evidence has already been obtained which suggests a significant role for the root system as a centre of metabolism and an upward transport of metabolites from the root via the xylem to the leaf. Although analyses of the nitrogenous compounds present in bleeding sap from herbaceous plants have shown glutamine and asparagine to be the most important constituents, in some species of plants nitrate nitrogen may be a predominant nitrogenous compound. Besides ami des and nitrate, the presence of amino acids in bleeding sap has ceen shown by Kulayeva, Silina, and Kursanov ¹⁾ for pumpkins, Wieringa and Bakhuis ²¹ for Lupins, and DIE³⁾ for cucumbers and tomatoes.     

Response of Cucumber Plants to Low Doses of Different Synthetic Iron Chelates in Hydroponics

The factors that control the use of iron (Fe) provided by iron chelates in strategy I plants are not well known. In this paper, the effectiveness of low concentrations of a series of pure Fe chelates to supply Fe to cucumber plants in hydroponics was studied. The Fe Chelate Reductase (FCR) of the roots was measured using Fe- ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as substrate. Despite the differences found in SPAD and biometric indexes among the treatments, FCR and Fe in xylem sap were only significantly larger for the Fe- Ethylene diamine di-(o-hydroxy-p-methylphenyl) acetic acid (EDDHMA) treatment. The trend in nutritional indexes was the opposite to the trend in the stability of the chelates, except for Fe-EDTA that gave the poorest results. A mechanism describing the uptake process, considering the re-oxidation of the Fe (II) reduced by the FCR and the formation of the Fe (II) complex is proposed.     

Synthetic Iron Chelates as Substrates of Root Ferric Chelate Reductase in Green Stressed Cucumber Plants

This work studied the behavior of different iron (Fe)-chelates as substrates of ferric chelate reductase (FCR) and their ability as Fe suppliers for mildly chlorotic plants. FCR activity and Fe concentration in xylem sap were determined in green stressed cucumber plants with different stress levels using different synthetic chelates as substrates. Both reduction and Fe concentration in the xylem sap were higher for the less-stable Fe chelates, except for Fe-EDTA, which presented a relatively low Fe concentration in sap. It was concluded that a high stability of the chelate in the nutrient solution reduces the Fe reduction, but other factors, such as the complexation of the Fe(II) by the chelating agents, should be considered when the complete process of Fe uptake is studied. The use of both indexes together, i.e., FCR determination and xylem sap concentration, is useful for understanding the Fe uptake from different Fe chelates.     

氮素形态和韧皮部烫伤对玉米韧皮部铁运输的影响

用营养液培养方法研究了在不同供铁条件下不同形态N和韧皮部烫伤对玉米苗期韧皮部Fe运输的影响。结果表明,韧皮部烫伤提高了玉米根系Fe的再利用,降低了初生叶中Fe的再利用,尤其在缺Fe条件下这种作用更明显,提高和降低的幅度更大。韧皮部烫伤还降低了伤流总量,增加了Fe的浓度。在供应铵态N的条件下,Fe的韧皮部运输比供应硝态N条件下有显著增加,Fe的再利用明显提高。     

Influence of iron nutrition on sulphur uptake and metabolism in maize (Zea mays L.) roots

Abstract

Recent research has evidenced a relationship between Fe nutrition and S nutrition. Aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of Fe deficiency on the capacity of maize roots to take up and metabolize S. Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Cecilia) plants were grown for 10 d in nutrient solution (NS) with (+S) or without (?S) sulphate and Fe was added as Fe^III-EDTA at 80 μm. After removing the extraplasmatic Fe pool, half of the plants of each treatment (+S and ?S) were transferred to a new Fe-free NS. Roots were collected 4 and 24 h from the beginning of Fe deprivation. Fe deprivation slightly increased root thiols content in both nutritive conditions (+S and ?S). ATP sulphurylase activity was enhanced by sulphur deprivation, but greatly depressed when Fe and S were both omitted from the nutrient solution. O-Acetylserine sulphydrylase activity was also enhanced by S deprivation; this activity was increased by Fe starvation in +S plants, while it was unaffected by Fe nutrition in ?S plants. S deprivation greatly increased uptake rates of ³⁵SO₄ ^2? (1.9 ± 0.1 vs. 5.2 ± 0.2 μmol g^?1 root d.w. h^?1); furthermore, Fe deficiency increased ³⁵SO₄ ^2? uptake rates by 11 and 55% in +S and ?S plants, respectively. Data show that Fe-deficiency in maize results in a higher ability to take up sulphate, while limiting the first step of S assimilation in S deprived plants.     

Effects of zinc activity in nutrient solution on uptake,translocation, and root export of cadmium and zinc in three wheat genotypes with different zinc efficiencies

The interactions of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in uptake and translocation are common but not consistent. We hypothesized that Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ activity in the apoplasmic solution bathing root-cells could affect Zn accumulation in plants dependent on the wheat genotype. This hypothesis was tested using seedlings of two bread wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L. cvs. Rushan and Cross) and one durum wheat genotype (Triticum durum L. cv. Arya) with different Zn efficiencies grown in chelate-buffered nutrient solutions with three Zn²⁺ (10^?11.11, 10^?9.11, and 10^?8.81?µM) and two Cd²⁺ (10^?11.21 and 10^?10.2?µM) activity levels. Increasing Zn²⁺ activity in the nutrient solution significantly increased Zn concentration in root and shoots of all three wheat genotypes, although the magnitude of this increase was dependent on the genotype. Cadmium decreased Zn concentration in roots of “Cross” while it had no significant effect on root Zn concentration in “Rushan.” At Zn^2+?=?10^?11.11?µM, Cd decreased shoot Zn concentration in “Arya” whereas it increased shoot Zn concentration at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM. Cadmium increased shoot Zn concentration of “Rushan” and “Cross” at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM but it had no significant effect on shoot Zn concentration of these genotypes at Zn^2+?=?10^?11.11?µM. The zinc-inefficient genotype “Arya” accumulated significantly more Cd in its root in comparison with “Cross” and “Rushan.” Cadmium concentration in roots of “Arya” was decreased significantly with increasing Zn activity. The effect of Zn on accumulation of Cd in roots of “Cross” and “Rushan” was dependent on the dose provided, and therefore, both synergistic (at Zn^2+?=?10^?9.11?µM) and antagonistic (at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM) interactive effects were found in these genotypes. Zinc supply increased the Zn concentration of xylem sap in “Cross” and “Rushan” whereas Zn content in xylem sap of “Arya” was decreased at Zn^2+?=?10^?9.11?µM and thereafter increased at Zn^2+?=?10^?8.81?µM. Cadmium treatment reduced Zn concentration in xylem sap of “Arya,” while it tended to increase Zn content in xylem sap of “Cross.” At Zn-deficient conditions, greater retention of Zn in root cell walls of Zn-inefficient “Arya” resulted in lower root-to-shoot transport of Zn in this genotype. Results revealed that the effect of Cd on the root-to-shoot translocation of Zn via the xylem is dependent on wheat genotype and Zn activity in the nutrient solution.     

Diurnal variations in uptake,transport and assimilation of NO3 ‐and efflux of OH‐ in maize plants

Maize plants, grown for 7 and 21 days on a nutrient solution with NO₃ ^‐ as the sole nitrogen source showed a clear diurnal pattern with respect to the in vivo NRA. Especially in roots dark/light fluctuations of the enzyme activity were high. Also in NO₃ ^‐ uptake, OH^‐ efflux and endogenous content of water soluble carbohydrates a diurnal variation was found. The plant age did not significantly affect the daily rhythm.

Because day/night changes of the in vivo root NRA and nitrate uptake were proportional, the relative content of reduced N in the xylem sap of the plants was constant during a day/night interval. At both day 7 and day 21 about 40–50% of the N was transported via the xylem as amino N. As a result of non‐synchronous variation of the specific root and shoot NRA, root reduction capacity showed a great within‐day variation. It varied between 20 and 40% of the whole plant reduction capacity. Since the ratio N‐organic to N‐total in the xylem sap was about 0.5, cycling of organic nitrogen was very likely in these maize plants.     

Nitrogenous constituents of bleeding sap from taro plants grown in nitrate nutrition under a potassium deficiency

The previous work (1) with bleeding sap from taro plants grown in solution culture at varying ammonium sulphate application under aerobic condition revealed that a potassium deficiency led to a contradictory relationship of the variation in amino-N content in bleeding sap to the exudation rhythm; in the earlier period of bleeding experiment a deficient K-application decreased the amino-N content but accelerated the exudation rate. In this connection, there are good reasons for believing that the passage of water and salts into the xylem ducts is largely controlled by the metabolic conditions in adjacent living cells, especially their rate of aerobic respiration (2). Therefore, the effects of potassium nutrition on the exudation phenomenon were reexamined with taro plants grown in solution culture under nitrate nutrition and correlated with information about the effect of aeration through culture medium during bleeding experiment on the rate of exudation and contents of nitrogenous constituents of bleeding sap. Arsenite- or DNP-treatment was also carried out in vivo with the roots in order to elucidate a possible relationship between the respiration in roots and the exudation process of xylem sap.     

Effects of symbiosis with Rhizobium fredii on transport of fixed nitrogen in the xylem of soybean plants

An experiment was conducted to identify the main nitrogenous compound transported in the xylem sap of soybean plants nodulated with Rhizobium fredii. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars, wild type Bragg (nod⁺, fix⁺) and its nitrate tolerant, hypernodulating mutant ntsll16 (nod⁺⁺, fix⁺) were used for this experiment. These soybean plants were inoculated with a slowgrowing rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDAllO or fast-growing rhizobia consisting of a mixture of R. fredii USDA191, USDA193, and USDA-194 and grown in a phytotron under natural light and controlled temperature conditions. Xylem sap was collected from Bragg and ntsll16 plants at the flowering and pod elongation stages. Acetylene reduction activity per plant or per nodule weight was not different between soybean lines and inoculums. The composition of the nitrogenous compounds in the xylem sap was compared between the symbionts, with B. japonicum and R. fredii. At the flowering stage, ureide-N and amide-N accounted for 53 to 70% and 20 to 27% respectively of the total N in the sap collected from the plants inoculated either with B. japonicum or R. fredii. At the pod elongation stage, ureide-N and amide-N accounted for 74 to 85%, and 7 to 19% of total sap N. With the growth of the soybean plants, the ratio of ureide-N in the xylem sap increased. These results suggest that in the case of wild soybean and the hypernodulating mutant line nodulated by R. fredii, ureide is transported as the main nitrogenous compound of fixed nitrogen in the xylem sap in the same way as in plants nodulated with B. japonicum.     

Alleviation of manganese toxicity and manganese-induced iron deficiency in barley by additional potassium supply in nutrient solution

Barley plants were grown hydroponically at two levels of K (3.0 and 30 mm) and Fe (1.0 and 10 μm) in the presence of excess Mn (25 μm) for 14 d in a phytotron. Plants grown under adequate K level (3.0 mm) were characterized by brown spots on old leaves, desiccation of old leaves, interveinal chlorosis on young leaves, browning of roots, and release of phytosiderophores (PS) from roots. These symptoms were more pronounced in the plants grown under suboptimal Fe level (1.0 p,M) than in the plants grown under adequate Fe level (10 μm). Plants grown in 10 μm Fe with additional K (30 mm) produced a larger amount of dry matter and released less PS than the plants grown under adequate K level (3.0 mm), and did not show leaf injury symptoms and root browning. On the other hand, the additional K supply in the presence of 1.0 μM Fe decreased the severity of brown spots, prevented leaf desiccation, and increased the leaf chlorophyll content, which was not sufficient for the regreening of chlorotic leaves. These results suggested that the additional K alleviated the symptoms of Mn toxicity depending on the Fe concentration in the nutrient solution. The concentration (per g dry matter) and accumulation (per plant) of Mn in shoots and roots of plants grown in 10 μm Fe and 30 mm K were much lower than those of the plants grown in 10 μm Fe and 3.0 mm K, indicating that additional K repressed the absorption of Mn. The concentration and accumulation of Fe in the shoots and roots of the plants grown in 10 μm Fe and 30 mm K were higher than those of the plants grown in 10 μm Fe and 3.0 mm K, indicating that the additional K increased the absorption of Fe under excess Mn level in the nutrient solution. The release of PS, chlorophyll content, and shoot Fe concentration were closely correlated.     

Effects of calcium deficiency on nutrient concentration of xylem sap of excised tomato plants

The effects of calcium (Ca) deficiency on cation uptake and concentration of xylem sap from tomato roots after excision of the aerial parts, were studied. The measurements were made on tomato plants grown on nutrient solutions with +Ca or without‐Ca, over a period of 48 hours. Calcium deficiency entailed a significant increase of the flux of xylem sap between the 6th and 14th hour on the first day after excision. In spite of the lack of Ca in the nutrient solution, the Ca concentration in xylem sap was unaffected in regard to that of excised roots with +Ca. The maintenance of the Ca concentration in xylem sap of plants grown on a Ca deficient solution was related to a reuse of the Ca from the apoplastic root stores. So, this regulation indicates a possible translocation of the Ca available in the root supply and a mobility of this element out of the roots only during the early stages of exposure to a Ca deficiency. The presence of NH₄ ⁺ in xylem sap with both +Ca and‐Ca treatments confirms the nitrogenous reduction activity of tomato roots. The accumulation of free ammonium 24 h after excision in both xylem saps (+Ca and‐Ca) is likely to be evidence of an alteration process of protein synthesis which is related to the depletion of the root water soluble carbohydrate supply.     

Chemical composition of xylem sap of tomato grown on bicarbonate containing medium

Incorporation of bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^‐) by the roots of tomato seedlings resulted in an increase in biomass production and changed the chemical composition of xylem sap. In the xylem sap of seedlings grown on a medium enriched with HCO₃ ^‐ (5.68 mM dm^‐3, series II) compared with the control (series I) the element content increased by about 27% and 33% for cations and anions, respectively. Potassium was the major cation in the xylem sap and constituted 69% of the total concentration of all the inorganic cations determined. Calcium attained 19% of this amount. The anionic load in the xylem sap was chiefly nitrate, constituting about 90% of the content of all the inorganic anions. The exudate was analysed for seven organic acids. In general, malic (MA), maleic, and citric (CA) occurred in xylem exudate at greater concentrations, constituting about 95% of the total content of organic acids. Cultivation of seedlings on the medium enriched with HCOJ brought about an increased content of organic acids, exceeding the control by about 60%. The concentration of MA increased by about 104% and that of CA and maleic acid exceeded the control by about 40% and 14%, respectively. Twenty amino acids were identified in tomato xylem sap. Glutamic, aspartic and y‐arninobutyric acid, and particularly the amides aspargine and glutamine occurred in greater amounts. Their total concentration was about 60% and 70% of the total amino acid content in series I and II, respectively. The remaining amino acids occurred at concentrations ≥ 90 μM. The cultivation of plants on the medium containing HCO₃ ^‐ resulted in an increase in amino acid content in xylem sap by about 28% as compared with the control. The ratio of amino acid to organic acid content was 2: 2.5 and 2: 3 for series I and II, respectively. The similar value of the ratio in the two series suggests that the synthesis of both groups of compounds be equally favoured by the carbon source (endogenous in the control and from the medium enriched with HCO₃ ^‐ in series II). The increased level of elements and organic compounds in xylem sap in the case of plants supplied with HCO₃ ^‐ is discussed in the work in respect of metabolic processes of roots.     

Comparative investigation on the susceptibility of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to iron chlorosis

Comparative physiological studies on iron (Fe) chlorosis of Vicia faba L. and Helianthus annuus L. were carried out. High internal Fe contents in Vicia cotyledons (16–37 μg) were completely used for plant growth and Fe chlorosis was not inducible by the application of nitrate (with or without bicarbonate). In Helianthus, low quantities of Fe in the seeds (4 μg) were insufficient for normal growth and without Fe in the nutrient solution, Fe chlorosis was obtained in all treatments. This chlorosis was an absolute Fe deficiency. Also, the treatment with 1 μM Fe in the nutrient solution and nitrate (with or without bicarbonate) led to severe chlorotic symptoms associated with low leaf Fe concentrations and high Fe concentrations in the roots. In contrast, Helianthus grown with NH₄NO₃ and 1 μM Fe had green leaves and high leaf Fe concentrations. However, with NO₃ supply (with or without bicarbonate), Fe translocation from the roots to the upper plant parts was restricted and leaves were chlorotic. Chlorotic and green sunflower leaves may have the same Fe concentrations, leaf Fe concentration being dependent on Fe translocation into the leaf at the various pH levels in the nutrient solution. At low external pH levels (controlled conditions) more Fe was translocated into the leaf leading to similar leaf Fe concentrations with higher chlorophyll concentrations (NH₄NO₃) and with lower chlorophyll concentrations (NO₃). This indicates a lower utilization of leaf Fe of NO₃ grown sunflower plants. Utilization of Fe in faba bean leaves is presumably higher than in sunflower leaves. In Vicia xylem sap pH was not affected by nitrate. In contrast, the xylem sap pH in Helianthus was permanently increased by about 0.4 pH units when fed with nitrate (with or without bicarbonate) compared with NH₄NO₃ nutrition. The xylem sap pH is indicative of leaf apoplast pH. From our earlier work (Mengel et al., 1994; Kosegarten und Englisch, 1994) we therefore suppose that in Helianthus, Fe immobilization occurs in the leaf apoplast due to high pH levels when grown with nitrate (with or without bicarbonate).     

The intake and utilization of carbon by plant roots from 14C-Labelled Urea. Part IV

Whether urea can be utilized as a direct nitrogen source for the growth of higher plants or not, has been studied by many investigators. Such studies conducted with plants in sterile media provide evidences that many higher plants can utilize urea-nitrogen.¹⁾ Yamaguchi ²⁾ observed that, when maize seedlings were grown in sterile culture with, the urea was detected in the shoots and even in gutation water. More recently, Bollard et al ^3,4) f a so etected urea in the xylem sap extracted from young apple trees grown in sand, to which urea was supplied. Similar findings were established in wheat seedlings⁵⁾ and in rice plants⁴⁾.