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Quantifying Kinetics of Net Ion Fluxes from Plant Tissues by Non-invasive Microelectrode Measuring MIFE Technique

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Plant Salt Tolerance

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 913))

Abstract

Non-invasive microelectrode ion flux measuring (the MIFE system) allows concurrent quantification of net fluxes of several ions with high spatial (several μm) and temporal (ca 5 s) resolution. Over the last 10 years, the MIFE system has been widely used to study various aspects of salt stress signaling and adaptation in plants. This chapter summarizes some major findings in the area such as using MIFE for deciphering the specific and non-specific components of salinity stress, resolving the role of the plasma membrane H+-pump in salinity responses, proving K+ homeostasis as a key feature of salinity tolerance, and discovering the mechanisms behind the ameliorative effects of Ca2+ and other mitigating factors (such as polyamines or compatible solutes). The full protocols for microelectrode fabrication, calibration, and use are then given, and two basic routines for measuring net K+ and Na+ fluxes from salinity stressed roots are described in the context of plant screening for salt stress tolerance.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the ARC and GRDC grants to Sergey Shabala.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Sergey Shabala & Lana Shabala

  2. Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, INRA, Montpellier, France

    Tracey Ann Cuin

  3. School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia

    Ian Newman

Authors
  1. Sergey Shabala
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  2. Tracey Ann Cuin
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  3. Lana Shabala
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  4. Ian Newman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sergey Shabala .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 54, Hobart, 7001, Tasmania, Australia

    Sergey Shabala

  2. INRA-SupAgro, BPMP-IBIPGC, place Viala 1, Montpellier, 34060, France

    Tracey Ann Cuin

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Shabala, S., Cuin, T.A., Shabala, L., Newman, I. (2012). Quantifying Kinetics of Net Ion Fluxes from Plant Tissues by Non-invasive Microelectrode Measuring MIFE Technique. In: Shabala, S., Cuin, T. (eds) Plant Salt Tolerance. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 913. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-986-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-986-0_7

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-985-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-986-0

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