Effects of potassium nutrition on the glycolysis and the krebs cycle in taro plants

The previous works (1, 2) with the bleeding sap from taro plants showed that a potassium deficiency altered the amplitude and the period of the diurnal periodicity in exudation process with the roots, and suggested that potassium might be an essential element for an intensive exchange of amino acids between living xylem tissues and xylem sap. The other works (3,4) with excised roots from sweet potato plants grown in a seven days solution culture showed that the relatively K-deficient roots had higher respiratory activities than the normal, especially In the root tip, and accumulated concomitantly higher levels of reducing sugars and amino nitrogen. Recently, however, an increasing number of works (5, 6) has been devoted exclusively to elucidating the relationship between respiratory activity in plant tissues and organic acid metabolism under a relative K-deficiency. In this work the effects of potassium nutrition on the glycolysis and the Krebs cycle in the roots and the leaves of taro plants are investigated in an attempt to compare these effects in a longer term culture of taro plants with those in a seven days culture of sweet potato plants.     

The growth and the respiration in roots of sweet potato plants under a moderate potassium deficiency

A seven days' culture of sweet potato plants under a deficient potassium application induced various metabolic disturbances in the roots (1,2) and the leaves (3). Prolonged cultures of taro (4), broad bean plants (5), and barley (5) suggested that a half level of the normal potassium content in roots might be a critical point of K -deficiency resulting in a higher respiration rate than its normal status. Such a temporary enhancement of respiration accompanied by accumulation of amino-N and reducing sugars may not necessarily contribute to the accumulation and the assimilation of salts, but accelerate the disturbance of plant metabolism to cause early death of the tissues. This work deals with supplemental data on the effects of K -deficiency on the plant growth and the respiration in roots, comparing these effects in a 15 days' culture of sweet potato plants with those in a longer term culture of other plant species (4,5).     

The respiration in the roots of broad bean and barley under a moderate potassium deficiency

The previous work on the respiration in taro plants (1) suggests that superior activities of the glycolysis and the Krebs cycle in these plant tissues under a moderate K-deficiency may be reduced a) with advancing plant maturation, b) with extended K-deficiency, or c) with increasing damage in the metabolism itself, due to unfavourable treatments. Thus the question arises where a critical point of potassium deficiency resulting in a higher respiration rate compared with its normal status should be set up in each plant species, giving careful consideration to the physiological and environmental conditions of the plant concerned. This work was undertaken in an attempt to compare the effects of potassium nutrition on the respiration in the roots of broad bean and barley with those in a longer term culture of taro plants (1).     

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.     

Glycolic acid oxidase activity in crop plant leaves

Many workers have revealed the possible role of glycolic acid oxidase in the photosynthesis and the respiration of plant leaves (1, 5) and in the organic acid metabolism of rice plant roots (6). There is also abundant evidence that α-hydroxysulfonates, the bisulfite addition compounds of aldehydes and ketones, are the specific and competitive inhibitors of the enzyme (7, 8). The pevious works (9, 10) showed that a deficient application of potassium increased the content of amino-N and reducing sugars and concomitantly the respiratory activity in sweet potato roots. Such a derangement in the metabolic status of plant roots would be expected to be intimately connected with any changes in the photosynthesis and the respiration of the leaves. This paper, as a preliminary, describes some results from investigations into the glycolic acid oxidase activity in leaves of rice plant- and barley seedlings, sweet potato plants, and taro plants which were grown in solution culture at varying potassium application : the effects of light and plant age on enzyme activity, the activation of the enzyme by FMN addition, the stability of the enzyme during a prolonged incubation of sap from leaves, and the inhibitory effects of specific inhibitors on the enzyme in vitro and in vivo.     

棉花钾素营养与土壤钾素供应水平

大田试验和田间调查分别在杭州浙江农业大学实验农场黄松土(Semihy dromorphic soil)和金华盆地红壤上进行.品种分别为钱江9号和协作2号,这两处土壤有效钾含量均较低,棉花(Gosoypium hirsutum L.)生长不良,普遍早衰.根据土壤中交换性钾的含量与棉花生长情况,一般可分为四类:土壤交换性钾>90ppm,棉花生长正常,70-90ppm,潜在缺钾;<70ppm,明显缺钾;<50ppm,严重缺钾.棉花叶片含钾量与土壤交换性钾含量呈正相关,r=0.928,显著性超过1%水准.大田试验表明,施用钾肥能提高棉花叶片含钾量,增加叶面积和叶绿素含量以及CO₂的同化率;钾还能促进叶片中细胞色素氧化酶和硝酸还原酶的活性,提高气孔导度,降低水分的蒸腾速率.缺钾叶片结构松弛,角质层发育不良;正常叶片结构紧密,角质层发育良好.叶片含钾量无论在苗期、初花期、盛花期、花铃期,均与皮棉产量呈正相关,达到显著水准.     

不同镁浓度对水稻根系生长及生理特性的影响

在温室条件下, 采用溶液培养法研究了不同Mg2+ 浓度对水稻(Oryza sativa L.)根系生长及生理特性的影响。结果表明,水稻根系干重、根冠比、总根长、Mg吸收、根系活力、伤流速度、伤流液中游离氨基酸总量和Mg含量、Mg流入速率以及Mg2+ 吸收速率与Mg2+ 供应水平密切相关。在低Mg2+ 浓度(0.05 mmol/L)条件下,水稻植株叶片在缺Mg症状出现之前分配较大比例的干物质到根系,使总根长和根冠比增加, 这可能是水稻早期对低Mg胁迫的适应机制之一。适中的Mg2+ 浓度(1.0 mmol/L)有利于水稻生长发育,促进养分吸收,提高根系活力和伤流速度以及伤流液中游离氨基酸总量。低Mg2+ 和高Mg2+ 浓度(5.0 mmol/L)在一定程度上抑制根系活力和氨基酸合成能力。植物Mg的吸收、伤流液Mg2+ 浓度、根系平均Mg流入速率和Mg2+ 吸收速率随营养液Mg2+ 浓度的增加而相应增加。     

Effects of K-deficiency stress on the root morphology and nutrient efficiency of sugarcane

Potassium (K) deficiency in soil restricts the production of sugarcane in major planting areas. To investigate the responses of sugarcane varieties to K-deficiency stress, the growth, root parameters, and nutrient-use efficiency of sugarcane varieties were compared using sand cultures. K deficiency inhibited the growth of sugarcane. Two hybrid sugarcane varieties, namely YC10–29 and YC10–65, exhibited greater tolerance to K-deficiency stress. The weight, length, surface area, and volume of root showed 30.49%, 15.91%, 20.02%, and 24.26% reductions, respectively, in ROC22 under K-deficiency stress, but increased in the other five varieties. YC10–65 accumulated 2.03 times more nitrogen (N) in the roots than did the plants under normal conditions. Significant increases for N and phosphorous (P) utilization efficiencies were detected in YC10–65 under K-deficiency stress. Correlations between nutrient efficiency and root morphology revealed that modifications to root morphology in response to K deficiency may help improve the nutrient efficiency and the K-deficiency tolerance of sugarcane.     

Uptake and utilization of applied phosphorus in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Hayola) plants at vegetative and reproductive stages: Comparison of root with foliar phosphorus application

ABSTRACT

In order to compare plants’ response to phosphorus (P) application through roots and leaves, oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. cv. Hayola) plants were cultivated until vegetative or reproductive stages and were pretreated with an adequate (+P) or low (?P) supply of P. Thereafter, these plants were treated with 0.3 mM P as sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄) either through roots (root application, RA) or leaves (leaf application, LA). Shoot biomass was observed to be suppressed under ?P conditions at both stages, whereas root growth was comparatively improved in ?P plants at the vegetative stage but not at the reproductive stage. Both RA and LA were able to compensate for the growth of vegetative shoot and roots at both stages; however, LA reduced P and dry matter partitioning into the fruits. At the vegetative stage, recovery of applied P was similar between RA and LA treatments, and was extensive in ?P plants compared with the +P ones. At the reproductive stage, in contrast, significantly lower recovery of P was observed likely due to the lower capacity of leaves for P absorption and/or their lower re-translocation ability through the phloem. Data of P utilization efficiency showed that ?P plants, at both vegetative and reproductive stages, efficiently use leaf-applied P for biomass production when compared with the +P plants. Activity of acid phosphatase was sharply inhibited by RA in ?P plants, whereas it was preferably increased by LA in both +P and ?P plants. Results indicated that under P-deficiency conditions, plants had higher ability to utilize foliar-applied P, and in contrast to RA, LA may enable plants for a continuous higher capacity of P uptake from P-deficient soil; however, RA was superior to LA in terms of fruit growth.     

Effect of magnesium on early taro growth

Abstract

Little research has been conducted on magnesium (Mg) nutrition of taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott cv. ‘Bun Long']. In this study, we evaluated the effects of varying levels of Mg (0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mM) on taro plants grown hydroponically for 33 days. Magnesium treatment effects were evaluated for dry matter biomass, leaf area, and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and B concentrations of old and young leaves. Dry matter of leaves (young, old, and total), roots, corms, petioles, and total biomass were significantly higher in all plus‐Mg treatments than in the zero‐Mg treatment. These same biomass parameters were not different among treatments with Mg (0.05 to 0.8 mM). Leaf area (young, old, and total) did not differ significantly with varying levels of Mg. A quadratic model described the relationship between Mg levels in leaves and solution Mg (r² = 0.99). Young and old leaf Mg concentrations did not differ. Total leaf Mg concentration ranged from 0.07% to 0.42% for the lowest and highest Mg levels in solution, respectively. Leaf Mg effects on total leaf DM was best fit using segmented regression (r² = 0.95), with a corresponding critical leaf Mg concentration (95% of maximum predicted leaf DM) of 0.14%. No significant interactions were observed between Mg and other mineral nutrients. Critical leaf Mg concentration is based on the vegetative growth stage of taro and could be a key index for taro producers who emphasize vegetable leaf, rather than corm production.     

Peculiar effect of Azospirillum inoculation on growth and nitrogen balance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Summary Wheat plants (Triticum aestivum) grown in pots and in the field under the Mediterranean climate of the south of France were inoculated with a strain of Azospirillum brasilense. Comparisons with non-inoculated plants grown under the same conditions showed significant responses to inoculation with an increase in the number of fertile tillers, shoot and root dry weight, and root to shoot biomass ratio. The roots of inoculated plants attracted relatively more assimilates than those of the control plants until a late stage of growth (heading stage) but the rhizosphere respiration expressed per unit of root growth was not increased by inoculation. Nitrogen yield, both total and in grains, was also enhanced; however, N percentages of all aerial parts of the plants grown in pots were always statistically lower after inoculation than in the control. At maturity, the N % in seeds was 1.81 and 2.45, respectively. The possible mechanisms of this effect of inoculation under the experimental conditions of this study are discussed.     

芋对氮磷钾吸收分配规律的研究

芋幼苗期对氮磷钾的吸收较少,发棵期和球茎膨大期吸收速率迅速增加,球茎膨大后期吸收积累速率又有所下降。总的来说,芋植株对钾的吸收最多,氮次之,磷最少,全生育期对氮磷钾的总吸收比例为1∶0.28∶1.1。幼苗期和发棵前期氮磷钾主要分布在叶片和叶柄中;其中,氮以叶片中居多,而磷和钾则以叶柄中居多。发棵后期和球茎膨大期主要分配在芋球茎中,其中氮磷的分配率为子芋大于孙芋,而钾则是孙芋中分配多于子芋。     

Preferential translocation of boron to young leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana Regulated by the BOR1 Gene

A mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, bor1-1 (Noguchi et al. 1997: Plant Physiol., 115, 901–916) requires high levels of boron (B) for normal growth. We analyzed the B-deficiency symptoms of bor1-1 mutant plants in detail. A low B supply retarded the growth of the mutant plants more evidently in leaves than in roots. In particular, cell expansion and formation of air spaces were severely impaired by B deficiency in young rosette leaves. Such defects in growth were correlated with the reduced contents of B in leaves. These defects were not observed when a sufficient amount of B was supplied. Uptake experiments with ¹⁰B-enriched tracer B demonstrated that B taken up through roots was preferentially transported to young leaves compared to old leaves in the wild-type plants under a low B supply. Such a preferential transport to young leaves was not evident in the mutant plants. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that in A. thaliana plants B is preferentially transported to young organs under a low B supply and that this transport process is controlled at least in part by the BOR1 gene.     

EFFECT OF CADMIUM ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF WHEAT AND CORN TO IRON DEFICIENCY

This work evaluated the effect of cadmium (Cd) on the physiological responses of corn (Zea Mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to iron (Fe) deficiency. For this purpose, seedlings of corn and wheat were cultivated under controlled conditions, plants were grown in different strength Hoagland's solutions for one month. In the fifth week, some seedlings were still in full strength Hoagland's solution (+Fe) and others were in full strength Hoagland's solutions without iron (?Fe). The plants were exposed to different cadmium (Cd) concentrations for four days. The plant chlorophyll content of young leaves, Fe and Cd content in shoots and roots, biomass production, and phytosiderophores (PS) release by roots were assessed. Results showed that Cd decreased the chlorophyll content of young leaves, accompanied by a significant shoot and root biomass reduction for Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient wheat and corn across all Cd treatments. However, chlorophyll content and shoot and root biomass of Fe-deficient wheat and corn were lower than Fe-sufficient plants at different Cd concentrations. Iron-deficiency induced Cd accumulation compared to Fe-sufficient in wheat and corn; however, a depressive effect of Cd on iron acquisition in shoots and roots of Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient wheat and corn across all Cd treatments was observed. Cadmium also inhibited PS release in Fe-deficient and Fe-sufficient wheat and corn. Iron-deficient PS release was higher than Fe-sufficient corn and wheat across all Cd treatments. These results suggested that Cd might reduce capacity of plants to acquire iron from solution by inhibiting PS release.     

芭蕉芋干物质及矿质营养元素累积与分配特征研究

以3 个芭蕉芋栽培品种为试材,研究了芭蕉芋发棵结芋期和子芋完熟期生物量的构成特点及各器官矿质元素含量、 积累和分配规律,以期为芭蕉芋科学管理和合理施肥提供依据。结果表明,发棵结芋期,芭蕉芋干物质量为54.99~62.21g/plant,叶片是干物质主要的分配器官; 子芋完熟期,芭蕉芋的干物质量是发棵结芋期的 4 倍多,根茎为干物质的主要分配器官。发棵结芋期,3 个芭蕉芋品种平均每株累积吸收N 497.4mg~598.8mg、 P 128.7mg~223.1mg、 K 2021.2.mg~2450.3mg、 Ca 496.0 mg~577.3 mg、 Mg 526.7 mg~804.5 mg,氮以叶片中含量最高,磷、 钾和镁以茎中含量最高,根系内钙含量最高; 子芋完熟期,芭蕉芋平均每株累积N 1116.2~1210.8mg、 P 852.6~907.5mg、 K 4528.9~5055.2 mg、 Ca 919.2~991.7mg、 Mg 888.2~1369.0 mg,氮以叶片含量最高,钾含量以根系最高,磷含量以茎、 叶中最高,根茎内镁含量高。生育期内构建相同生物量,Xingyu-1需要的 K、 Ca 和 Mg 比其他 2个品种多,N和P与其他2个品种相当,但Xingyu-1 的根茎干物质分配率高,生产相同质量的干根茎,Xingyu-1 需要的N、 P、 K 低于其他 2 个品种。     

不同水分状况下施锌对玉米生长和锌吸收的影响

选择潮土(砂壤)和土(粘壤)两种质地不同的土壤,进行盆栽试验,研究不同土壤水分条件下施锌对玉米生长和锌吸收的影响。结果表明,施锌显著增加了玉米植株根、茎、叶以及整株干物质重;缺锌条件下玉米植株根冠比、根叶比和根茎比趋向增大。施锌显著提高了玉米植株各器官中锌的浓度和吸收量,并明显促进锌向地上部运移。干旱胁迫抑制了玉米植株生长,根冠比、根茎比、根叶比增大;随着土壤水分供应增加,植株生长加快,各器官生物量以茎和叶增加大于根。水分胁迫下,在潮土上玉米叶片中锌浓度上升;在土上叶片中锌浓度下降。但增施锌后,根和茎锌浓度增加幅度较大,叶片增加幅度较小;施锌和水分胁迫对根和茎锌浓度的交互作用极显著。水分胁迫下,玉米植株对锌的吸收总量减少。水分胁迫和锌肥施用对玉米叶片、茎锌吸收量的交互作用十分显著,但对根锌吸收量的交互影响不显著。     

Changes in root length at the reproductive stage of maize plants grown in the field and quartz sand

The aims of this work were to investigate possible reasons for root mortality of maize plants at the reproductive stage and relationships between root mortality and internal sugar and external nitrogen (N) supply. Maize (Zea mays L.) plants were grown in the field in fertile soil and in a greenhouse in quartz sand with sufficient or deficient N supply. Deficient N supply reduced plant growth and total N uptake by 38% and 52%, respectively. The lengths of the seminal roots and of the early initiated adventitious roots of the first two whorls declined after reaching their maximum values before silking, no matter whether the plants were grown in the field or in quartz sand in the greenhouse. The lengths of the adventitious roots from higher nodes of plants grown in quartz sand, irrespective of N supply, did not decrease at the reproductive stage despite of decreasing sugar concentrations. In contrast, under field conditions, the length of adventitious roots from higher nodes decreased during grain filling. Total activity of all roots of greenhouse‐grown plants as deduced from translocation of N and cytokinins in the xylem exudate reached peak values at the end of the growing period, whereas in field‐grown plants N translocation decreased and cytokinin translocation did not change toward the end of the growing period. The results indicate that the pattern of root growth and mortality of maize plants in the reproductive stage was not affected by external N supply. Differences between glasshouse‐ and field‐grown plants are possibly due to effects of soil biota, which have to be further studied.     

Increases in phosphatase and β‐glucosidase activities in wheat seedlings in response to phosphorus‐deficient growth

The ability of plants to utilize P efficiently is important for crops growing in P‐deficient soils or on soils with a high P‐fixing capacity. The purpose of this work was to investigate early physiological changes which occur when wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings were grown under P‐deficient conditions. Wheat plants were grown in a greenhouse and watered with nutrient solution containing or lacking P. During the interval 12 to 18 days after planting, the dry weight of wheat seedlings was similar regardless of P treatment, although the P‐deficient plants had a greater proportion of the total plant weight in the roots. Sixteen days after planting, the roots and leaves of P‐deficient plants had only 20 to 30% the P content of P‐sufficient plants. After 16 days, plants grown under P stress had 41% more p‐nitrophenol phosphatase activity and 70% more β‐glucosidase activity in shoot homogenates than was found in P‐sufficient plants. Changes in both enzyme activities may be involved in the mobilization of plant resources during the early stages of P‐deficient growth.     

Citrus Seedling Growth and Susceptibility to Root Rot as Affected by Phosphite and Phosphate

The growth of ‘Ridge Pineapple’ sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] seedlings and their susceptibility to Phytophthora root rot were studied under contrasting supplies of phosphate (Pi) or Phosphite (Phi). After 10 weeks of repeated applications of nutrient solutions, Phi concentrations were barely detectable in soil. Soil Pi was higher in Phi treatments than in pots that received Pi alone. Seedling growth was greatest when supplied with Pi or Phi separately, but when Pi and Phi were combined, growth was reduced to levels comparable to plants that received no P. Phi was found in both stems and leaves after it was applied to soil supporting the mobility of Phi within the plant. In addition, a small amount of Phi was found in roots after applications of Phi in foliar sprays. Different sources of soil-applied P did not affect the amount of Pi in roots, while the amounts of Pi in leaves were higher in plants that received Phi and Pi combined. Root resistance to Phytophthora root rot of citrus seedlings treated with Phi alone or in combination with Pi was greater than in plants treated with Pi alone, confirming the antifungal effect of Phi.     

缺钾对茶树幼苗叶片叶绿素荧光特性的影响

为了探明缺钾对茶树叶片的光合电子传递、光能转化和利用等的影响机制,本研究以10月龄扦插瑞香茶[Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze cv. Ruixiang] 苗为试验材料,通过沙培试验,用含5个不同钾浓度（K 0、100、200、600、2000 mol/L）的营养液浇灌,每周3次,处理24周后,进行茶树叶片叶绿素荧光参数的测定。结果表明,缺钾处理茶树叶片OJIP曲线O点上升,P点下降,同时出现150 s处的L点和300 s处的K点两个新点;缺钾条件下,TRo/ABS (or Fv/Fm) (最大光化学效率)、ETo/ABS（电子传递的量子产额）、REo/ABS（还原量子效率）、PIabs（吸收光能的性能指数）和PICS（单位面积为基础的性能指数）下降,而VJ、VI和耗散能增加。总之,缺钾损伤了从PSⅡ供体侧到PSI的整个电子传递链,降低了光合电子传递能力;缺钾叶片还通过增加热耗散以保护叶片在强光下免遭光氧化伤害。