Root and cell hydraulic conductivity, apoplastic barriers and aquaporin gene expression in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown with low supply of potassium.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Limited supply of mineral nutrients often reduces plant growth and transpirational water flow while increasing the ratio of water-absorbing root to water-losing shoot surface. This could potentially lead to an imbalance between water uptake (too much) and water loss (too little). The aim of the present study was to test whether, as a countermeasure, the hydraulic properties (hydraulic conductivity, Lp) of roots decrease at organ and cell level and whether any decreases in Lp are accompanied by decreases in the gene expression level of aquaporins (AQPs) or increases in apoplastic barriers to radial water movement.

Methods

Barley plants were grown hydroponically on complete nutrient solution, containing 2 mm K+ (100 %), or on low-K solution (0.05 mm K+; 2.5

SUBMITTER: Coffey O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6324746 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature