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The dynamics of xylem sap pH under drought: a universal response in herbs?

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Abstract

Background and aims

Long distance signals in xylem from roots to leaves are important in plant response to drought stress. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a key role in drought signaling in plants but apoplastic pH may modulate its effect by distributing ABA into various compartments in leaves. We aimed to reveal the dynamics of changes in sap pH and its relationships with the transport of inorganic and organic ions in eight herbaceous plant species under continuously declining soil water content. We tested several hypotheses related to the mechanism of pH changes in xylem.

Methods

We used a pressure chamber to collect xylem sap and to measure of leaf/stem water potential at various stages of soil drying. We measured pH and concentrations of the most abundant inorganic (NO3 −, SO4 2−, PO4 3− and Cl−) and organic (malate and citrate) anions in xylem sap.

Results

Species differed considerably in the dynamics of pH changes in xylem in drying soil. Changes in xylem sap pH during drying did not relate to the nitrogen assimilation strategy but may be affected by sap flow rate. Simultaneous changes in the concentrations of inorganic and organic anions were highly species-specific.

Conclusions

High variability among species in the observed relationships in response to drought indicates that comparisons among different studies and the generalization of results should be made with caution.

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Abbreviations

SWP:

Stem water potential

LWP:

Leaf water potential

SWC:

Soil water content

TR:

Transpiration rate

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Helena Steigerová, Hana Moskalyková, and Oldřich Jůza for their excellent technical assistance and prof. Ian Dodd for valuable comments and suggestions to the manuscript. We are also grateful to Masaryk University for its financial support of the postdoctoral stay of Anna Isabel Martin. V.G. and W.D. were supported by an International Joint Project of the Royal Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Vít Gloser, Halyna Korovetska, Ana Isabel Martín-Vertedor & Martina Hájíčková

  2. Loschmid laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Zbyněk Prokop

  3. The Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Vít Gloser, Sally Wilkinson & William Davies

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  1. Vít Gloser
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  2. Halyna Korovetska
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  4. Martina Hájíčková
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Correspondence to Vít Gloser.

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Responsible Editor: Ian Dodd.

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Gloser, V., Korovetska, H., Martín-Vertedor, A.I. et al. The dynamics of xylem sap pH under drought: a universal response in herbs?. Plant Soil 409, 259–272 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-2962-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-2962-6

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