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.     

Analysis of phloem exudate collected from fruit-bearing stems of coconut palm: Palm trees as a source of molecules circulating in sieve tubes

Sieve tubes have been attracting widespread research interest because of their possible role in mediating physiological signals within the whole plant. However, progress in research into the function of sieve tubes has been limited by the low volume of sap available. To overcome this problem, we attempted to collect phloem exudate from tropical coconut palm trees (Cocos nucifera L. cv. Namhom). As much as 3 to 15 mL of exudate per hour was collected from the cut surface of the plant's fruit-bearing stem. Our analyses revealed that the characterized profiles of sugars (sucrose: 339 mM), amino acids (total concentration: 17.1 mM), cations (potassium: 48.3 mM), and proteins (total concentration: 0.1 /-lg /-lL-1) in the exudate were mostly consistent with those of phloem sap or phloem exudate collected from rice plants, castor bean plants, etc. This exudate was assumed to reflect the composition of the phloem sap from the source organs of coconut palm trees. The large volume of exudate collected contributed significantly to the analyses of the various compounds in the stream of sieve tubes.     

Cytosolic glutamine synthetase is present in the phloem sap of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The presence of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the rice sieve tube was examined. Proteins in the rice phloem sap from leaf sheaths were separated by sodium dodecylsulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to polyvinylidine difluoride membranes and immunoblotted with anti-GS1 antibody. A cross-reacting band, thought to be GS1, was detected in the phloem sap. Moreover, the phloem sap contained a significant amount of GS transferase activity. Previous studies have shown that the concentrations of substrates and cofactors in the rice phloem sap are sufficient for cytosolic GS reaction. These data suggest that physiologically active GS1 is present in rice phloem sap, which might convert glutamate to glutamine in vivo .     

Evidence That Sulfur Deficiency Enhances Molybdenum Transport in Xylem Sap of Tomato Plants

ABSTRACT

The findings of an experiment using serially harvested young tomato plants grown in water culture are reported, showing the dramatic influence of sulfur status of the nutrient medium on transport of molybdenum in xylem sap. On average for the five harvests taken over a 14 d growth period, the molybdenum (Mo) concentration in the sap was approximately 11 times greater in the absence of sulfate in the nutrient medium. Restoring sulfate to the nutrient medium without sulfur (S) on day four of the experiment depressed the Mo concentration of the sap at the next harvest (taken three days later) to a value similar to that in plants receiving sulfate from the onset of the growth period and, similarly, raised the S concentration as well. Rates of transport of Mo as measured by root pressure exudates were slightly less spectacular, as S deficiency depressed the rate of exudation. The results support the concept that sulfate and molybdate compete for the same carrier and transport sites in uptake, and that sulfate deficiency leads to excess Mo uptake. The findings are of little consequence for plant cultivation, as plants are tolerant to elevated Mo concentrations, but are relevant to animal nutrition—particularly that of ruminants, which are susceptible to excess Mo and Mo-induced copper (Cu) deficiency.     

盐胁迫下氮素形态对油菜和水稻幼苗离子运输和分布的影响

【目的】土壤盐碱化是制约农作物产量的主要因素之一,盐胁迫影响养分运输和分布,造成植物营养失衡,导致作物发育迟缓,植株矮小,严重威胁着我国的粮食生产。在必需营养元素中,氮素是需求量最大的元素,NO-3和NH+4是植物吸收氮素的两种离子形态。植物对盐胁迫的响应受到不同形态氮素的调控,研究不同形态氮素营养下植物的耐盐机制对提高植物耐盐性及产量具有重要的意义。【方法】本文以喜硝植物油菜(Brassica napus L.)和喜铵植物水稻(Oryza sativa L.)为试验材料,采用室内营养液培养方法,研究了NO-3和NH+4对Na Cl胁迫下油菜及水稻苗期生长状况、对Na+运输和积累的影响,以对照与盐胁迫植株生物量之差与Na+积累量之差的比值,评估Na+对植株的伤害程度。【结果】1)在非盐胁迫条件下,硝态氮营养显著促进油菜和水稻根系的生长;盐胁迫条件下,油菜和水稻生物量均显著受到抑制,Na Cl对供应铵态氮营养植株的抑制更为显著。2)盐胁迫条件下,两种供氮形态下,油菜和水稻植株Na+含量均显著增加,硝态氮营养油菜叶柄Na+显著高于铵态氮营养,叶柄Na+含量/叶片Na+含量大于铵营养油菜,硝态氮营养水稻根系Na+含量显著低于铵营养,地上部则相反。3)铵营养油菜和水稻Na+伤害度显著高于硝营养植株。4)盐胁迫条件下,硝态氮营养油菜地上部和水稻根系K+含量均显著高于铵态氮营养。5)盐胁迫条件下,硝营养油菜和水稻木质部Na+浓度,韧皮部Na+和K+浓度及水稻木质部K+浓度均高于铵营养植株。【结论】与铵营养相比,硝营养油菜和水稻具有更好的耐盐性。硝态氮处理油菜叶柄Na+显著高于铵态氮处理,能够截留Na+向叶片运输。同时,供应硝态氮营养更有利于油菜和水稻吸收K+,有助于维持植物体内离子平衡。盐胁迫下,硝营养油菜和水稻木质部Na+浓度,韧皮部Na+和K+浓度及水稻木质部K+浓度均高于铵营养植株,表明硝态氮营养油菜和水稻木质部-韧皮部对离子有较好的调控能力,是其耐盐性高于铵营养的原因之一。     

不同硼效率棉花品种木质部和韧皮部汁液中矿质养分的差异

溶液培养条件下研究硼对2个硼效率不同的棉花品种木质部、韧皮部中硼及其它矿质养分运输的影响。结果表明,缺硼使2个棉花品种木质部汁液硼含量及溢出量明显降低,低效品种降低幅度大于高效品种。供硼充足(0.5mg/L)时,2个棉花品种木质部汁液中硼浓度均小于培养液中硼浓度;缺硼(0.002mg/L)时,高效品种与低效品种木质部汁液硼浓度分别是培养液硼浓度的32.0和20.5倍。缺硼使2个棉花品种木质部汁液中钾、锰、铜、锌含量均升高,高效品种升高幅度较大;钙含量均降低,低效品种降低幅度较大;高效品种镁含量增高,低效品种降低。而2个棉花品种木质部各养分(钾、镁、钙、锰、铜、锌)溢出量均降低,低效品种降低更明显。无论在缺硼或供硼充足时,2个棉花品种韧皮部中硼浓度均极低,但韧皮部溢泌液中其它养分受缺硼影响品种间表现不同,高效品种韧皮部钾、镁、锰、铜溢出量升高,低效品种则降低;2个品种钙、锌溢出量均降低,低效品种降低幅度更大。     

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。     

Effects of lead upon the actions of sulfate-reducing bacteria in the rice rhizosphere

Microbe-mineral interactions play an important role in affecting geochemical transformations of heavy metals in the soil environment. The formation of metal sulfide, which is mediated by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) through contributing to sulfate reduction is an important pathway for heavy metal stabilization in anoxic soil. In oxic rice rhizospheres, there are abundant sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) which can enhance sulfur oxidation and hence the availability of heavy metals, resulting in the uptake of such metals by the plant and a potential risk to human health. In this study, the potential existence of SRB in oxic rice rhizospheres, their contribution to sulfate reduction, and potential to reduce the availability of heavy metal was investigated. PCR-DGGE fingerprinting and real-time PCR results showed increasing numbers of SRB with Pb addition, which corresponded with increases in soil pH and reduction in Eh, suggesting the enhancement of sulfur reduction and SRB activity. Sulfur K-edge XANES, which characterized sulfur speciation in situ, revealed reduced states of sulfur. The SRB mediated the sulfate reduction and contributed to the formation of reduced sulfur which interacted with Pb, leading to the formation of stable metal sulfide and reduction of Pb availability. In return, acclimated SRB populations developed in Pb-polluted conditions. Hence stabilization of reduced sulfur by Pb enhanced the activity of SRB and sulfate reduction in rice rhizosphere.     

不同浓度硫处理下硒镉交互胁迫对水稻幼苗的生理特性影响

以淮稻6号为试验材料,采用水培的方法,研究了不同硫（S）浓度下（9、720mg·L-1）硒（Se）（5mg·L-1）和镉（Cd）（1、10mg·L-1）交互胁迫对水稻幼苗一些生理特性的影响,主要研究指标包括生物量、巯基物质含量和硒、镉含量。结果表明：（1）Cd对水稻幼苗各部分生长状况抑制能力大小不同,其对根长的抑制作用明显大于对茎长的抑制;（2）在无Se条件下,随着Cd浓度的增加,Cd对水稻幼苗生长的毒性不断增大,在加入一定浓度的Se后,Cd的毒性作用得到缓解;（3）在不同浓度S处理和Se、Cd交互胁迫下,随着S浓度增大,Cd对水稻幼苗毒性作用减轻;但高浓度的S处理反而对Cd与Se交互实验中Cd的毒性产生协同作用;（4）高浓度的S处理可以抑制水稻幼苗对Se的吸收;（5）巯基物质含量随着胁迫时间的增加呈先上升后下降的趋势。在Se、Cd交互实验中,低浓度S处理可以提高水稻幼苗中GSH和PCs的含量,从而促进植株体内重金属和PC的络合作用,缓减Cd对水稻幼苗的毒害。     

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.     

外源谷胱甘肽喷施对缺硫胁迫下小白菜谷胱甘肽代谢的影响

  【目的】  硫是植物生长发育过程中所必需的营养元素,缺硫会阻碍植物生长发育,研究外源谷胱甘肽 (GSH) 对缺硫胁迫下小白菜GSH代谢的影响,为利用外源GSH减轻缺硫胁迫对植物造成的伤害提供理论依据。  【方法】  以小白菜为试验材料,采用营养液栽培方法,设正常供硫并喷施蒸馏水对照 (CK)、缺硫喷施蒸馏水(H₂O)、缺硫喷施25 mg/L的还原型谷胱甘肽 (GSH) 和缺硫喷施25 mg/L的氧化型谷胱甘肽 (GSSG) 4个处理。喷施处理在缺硫培养17 天时进行,在喷施处理后0、2、4、8、24 h,取样测定小白菜GSH合成关键基因BcGSH1表达量;在喷施处理0、24、48、72 h后,取样测定γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶 (γ-ECs) 活性、内源GSH和GSSG含量及GSH还原酶 (GR)、GSH过氧化物酶 (GPx) 和GSH硫转移酶 (GST) 活性。  【结果】  与CK相比,缺硫显著降低了小白菜BcGSH1表达量、GSH含量及γ-ECs、GR和GST活性,提高了GPx活性;外源喷施GSH能够显著提高缺硫胁迫下小白菜BcGSH1表达量、GSH含量及γ-ECs、GR、GPx和GST活性;外源喷施GSSG后,缺硫胁迫下小白菜GSH含量、GSSG含量和γ-ECs活性仅短暂上升,GR和GST活性显著增强,GPx活性最终减弱。  【结论】  缺硫胁迫下,小白菜能够吸收外源喷施的GSH和GSSG,并诱导GSH合成酶活性增强,外源喷施GSH还会诱导细胞内GSH代谢3个关键酶GR、GPx和GST活性增强,显著缓解缺硫胁迫对小白菜造成的损伤;而外源喷施GSSG则诱导GR和GST活性增强,GPx活性降低,维持细胞不被继续氧化,一定程度上缓解因缺硫胁迫对机体造成的损伤。     

L-cysteine Stimulates Selenite Uptake through GSH Involving in Selenite Reduction in Rice Roots

The effect of L-cysteine on selenite uptake rate in rice roots was investigated in this study. The results indicated that L-cysteine stimulated selenite uptake significantly, but D-cysteine had no effect on selenite uptake. Selenite uptake increased significantly when the roots were exposed to the L-cysteine solution following a cleanup of the adsorbed L-cysteine on the root surface. Exogenous reduced glutathione stimulated selenite uptake significantly, but oxidized glutathione had no effect on selenite uptake. Split-root experiments showed that exogenous L-cysteine and reduced glutathione applied to one-half of the root system induced selenite uptake by the untreated half. Furthermore, reduced glutathione concentration in rice roots was increased or reduced significantly when exposed to L-cysteine or selenite solution, respectively. A correlation analysis revealed selenite uptake rate was positively correlated with reduced glutathione concentration in rice roots but not in rice leaves. L-cysteine stimulates selenite uptake through reduced glutathione involving in selenite reduction in rice roots.     

Role of Sulfur in Cadmium Accumulation of Tagetes erecta L.

The role of sulfur in cadmium (Cd) accumulation was investigated in Tagetes erecta L. Shoot Cd concentrations were significantly increased with increasing of sulfur levels in the culture solution. In another experiment, leaf application of sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) or cysteine to sulfur (S)-starved plants significantly increased Cd accumulation in shoots up to three folds or twice that of those S-starved plants. When plants were cultured at 35°C, shoot Cd accumulation was significantly lower than in those cultured at 25°C, however, leaf application of glutathione or cysteine significantly increased Cd accumulations in shoots than that of no application. It is suggested that elevated temperature (35°C) might disturb sulfur assimilation, for example, cysteine and glutathione synthesis, thus reducing Cd accumulation. This phenomenon can be alleviated by adding thiol-containing compounds, such as cysteine and glutathione, but not by adding Na₂SO₄. These results indicate that thiol-containing compounds play an important role in Cd accumulation of T. erecta.     

Effects of deep placement of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer on soybean growth and yield under sulfur deficiency

Sulfur (S) and Nitrogen (N) metabolisms in plants are interacted and it is known that S deficiency decrease N absorption and metabolism. In leguminous plants S deficiency also decreases N₂ fixation by rhizobia in the nodules. Deep placement of a controlled-release N fertilizer is a good method to provide nitrogen to soybean without inhibiting N₂ fixation; thus, it was hypothesized that this method is able to provide nitrogen effectively to sulfur-deficient soybean plants. In this study effects of deep placement of coated urea on S-N physicological interaction, growth and productivity in soybean plants were examined using pot experiments. Soybean plants were grown with sulfate concentrations of 30, 100, or 1000 μM, with or without deep placement of coated urea. Shoot weights at the developing stage were not affected by S deficiency. SPAD values of leaves during the flowering stage decreased with S deficiency and increased with the deep placement of coated urea. S deficiency decreased seed weight per plant at the harvesting stage, but this decrease was attenuated by the deep placement of coated urea. N and S content in shoots at the developing stage increased with the deep placement of coated urea, whereas in seeds, only the N content increased. N₂ fixation activity based on the relative ureide-N content in xylem sap indicated that the deep placement of coated urea did not inhibit N₂ fixation activity at the early flowering stage. Without deep placement of coated urea, the relative ureide-N content decreased under S deficiency at the seed filling stage. These results suggest that the deep placement of coated urea is an efficient method to supply N to support soybean yield under S deficiency.

Abbreviations: Deep+: with deep placement of coated urea; Deep–: without deep placement of coated urea     

植物汁液化学组成及其与菜心抗性和Cd累积的关系

Sap mixtures of the xylem, phloem, and vacuoles from low and high Cd accumulator varieties of Brassica parachinensis L. H. Bailey were analyzed under Cd stress to understand the biochemical mechanisms of Cd accumulation in plants. Low Cd accumulator （‘Teqing-60＇） and high Cd accumulator （‘Chixin-2＇） plants were grown in Cd-treated soil in pots in a greenhouse. Percentage of cell wall-bound Cd was estimated, pH level and the concentrations of amino acids, organic acids, anions, and cations in both stem and root saps were determined for the calculation of Cd speciations using the computer program GEOCHEM. The results showed that ‘Teqing-60＇ had a significantly higher （P ≤ 0.05） percentage of Cd bound to cell walls in roots and a significantly higher （P ≤ 0.05） pH in the root sap. ‘Teqing-60＇ also contained a higher concentration of total amino acids in both roots and stems compared with the high Cd accumulator variety ‘Chixin- 2＇. However, between the two accumulators, for stems and for roots, there were no significant differences in non-amino organic acids. GEOCHEM calculations showed that Cd in the root sap of ‘Teqing-60＇ mainly combined with amino acids, especially alanine. Compared with ‘Chixin-2＇, in the root sap of ‘Teqing-60＇, much lower levels of Cd as free ions or bound to simple ligands were found, indicating that less ‘Teqing-60＇ is transferred to stems and leaves. Cadmium activity in the shoot sap of ‘Teqing-60＇ was much lower than that in ‘Chixin-2＇; therefore, ‘Teqing-60＇ exhibited higher Cd resistance. However, direct determination of the Cd complexes from xylem and phloem sap is needed to verify these results.     

Upregulation of the genes for ferritin,RNase, and DnaJ in leaves of rice plants in response to sulfur deficiency

Microarray analysis was carried out with mRNAs isolated from aerial portions of rice plants subjected to sulfur deficiency. Among the candidate clones regulated by sulfur deficiency, three genes were identified by northern analysis that showed altered levels of mRNA accumulation. Genes similar to those for ferritin, S-like ribonuclease, and DnaJ-like protein were down-, down-, and upregulated by sulfate deficiency, respectively. These genes were found for the first time to be responsive to sulfur nutrition in the present study.     

Rice phenolics efflux transporter 2 (PEZ2) plays an important role in solubilizing apoplasmic iron

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants; however, despite its abundance in soils it is not readily available in neutral to alkaline soils. Plants secrete phenolics, such as protocatechuic acid (PCA) and caffeic acid (CA), to absorb and utilize precipitated apoplasmic Fe from root surfaces. However, the synthesis and secretion of phenolics have not been well characterized in plants. We have identified and characterized a rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant with reduced amounts of PCA and CA in xylem sap and root exudates; hence we named it phenolics efflux zero 2 (pez2). PEZ2 localized to the plasma membrane in onion (Allium cepa L.) epidermal cells and transported PCA when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. PEZ2 expression was observed in whole root near root tips. Similarly, strong expression was observed in leaves. In line with reduced amounts of PCA and CA in xylem sap, the xylem Fe concentration was also low in pez2 plants. These results suggest that PEZ2 is involved in solubilization of apoplasmic Fe in rice.     

Effects of plant sulfur nutrition on acrylamide and aroma compounds in cooked wheat

Wheat flour from plants deficient in sulfur has been shown to contain substantially higher levels of free amino acids, particularly asparagine and glutamine, than flour from wheat grown where sulfur nutrition was sufficient. Elevated levels of asparagine resulted in acrylamide levels up to 6 times higher in sulfur-deprived wheat flour, compared with sulfur-sufficient wheat flour, for three varieties of winter wheat. The volatile compounds from flour, heated at 180 degrees C for 20 min, have been compared for these three varieties of wheat grown with and without sulfur fertilizer. Approximately 50 compounds were quantified in the headspace extracts of the heated flour; over 30 compounds were affected by sulfur fertilization, and 15 compounds were affected by variety. Unsaturated aldehydes formed from aldol condensations, Strecker aldehydes, alkylpyrazines, and low molecular weight alkylfurans were found at higher concentrations in the sulfur-deficient flour, whereas low molecular weight pyrroles and thiophenes and sugar breakdown products were found at higher concentrations in the sulfur-sufficient flour. The reasons for these differences and the relationship between acrylamide formation and aroma volatile formation are discussed.     

Nitrate Reductase,Micronutrients and Upland Rice Development as Influenced by Soil pH and Nitrogen Sources

The average yield of upland rice under no-tillage system (NTS), a sustainable soil management, is lower than in conventional tillage (one plowing and two disking). One of the reasons given for this drop in crop grain yield would be the low-nitrate assimilation capacity of rice seedlings, due to the low activity of the nitrate reductase (NR) enzyme in the early development phase. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the soil acidic and nitrogen source in the micronutrient concentrations, NR activity and grain yield of upland rice growing under NTS. The soil used in the experiment was an Oxisol. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 3 × 4. Treatments consisted of three levels of soil acidity (high, medium, and low) combined with four nitrogen sources (nitrate, ammonium, ammonium + nitrification inhibitor, and control – without N fertilization). The reduction of soil acidity reduced the concentration of zinc and manganese in rice plants. Generally, the activity of the NR enzyme was higher in plants grown in soils with low acidity and fertilized with calcium nitrate. There was a greater response in growth and yield in rice plants grown in soils with high acidity. Under medium acidity, rice plants grown with ammonium sulfate were more productive (no differences were detected with the addition of the nitrification inhibitor).     

Effect of External Nitrogen and Potassium Supply on Xylem Sap Composition of Sugarcane

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) availability on root exudate composition of two sugarcane cultivars known to differ with regard to their resistance to drought and salinity stress. The plants were hydroponically grown in a greenhouse and subjected to three levels of N (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mM N) and three levels of K (0.02, 0.2, and 2 mM K). Nitrogen and K stress altered the xylem sap composition. Nitrogen stress significantly reduced nitrate (NO₃ ^?), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and amino acid content and increased the pH, phosphorus (P), and K content. Whereas, K stress significantly decreased pH, K, NH₄ ⁺, and amino acid content but increased Ca, Mg, and P content. Nitrogen and K stress had opposing effects on xylem sap pH and osmolality. Results indicated that sugarcane plants recycle compounds between the phloem and xylem. The results also suggested that the NO₃ ^? and K concentration of xylem sap could be effectively used to estimate the N and K status of the soil solution.