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Xylem sap calcium concentrations do not explain liming-induced inhibition of legume gas exchange

Plant and Soil volume 382, pages 17–30 (2014)Cite this article

A Commentary to this article was published on 05 July 2014

Abstract

Background and aims

Liming is considered normal agricultural practise for remediating soil acidity and improving crop productivity; however recommended lime applications can reduce yield. We tested the hypothesis that elevated xylem sap Ca2+ limited gas exchange of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Pisum sativum L. plants that exhibited reduced shoot biomass and leaf area when limed.

Methods

We used Scholander and whole-plant pressure chamber techniques to collect root and leaf xylem sap, a calcium-specific ion-selective electrode to measure xylem sap Ca2+, infra-red gas analysis to measure gas exchange of limed and unlimed (control) plants, and a detached leaf transpiration bioassay to determine stomatal sensitivity to Ca2+.

Results

Liming reduced shoot biomass, leaf area and leaf gas exchange in both species. Root xylem sap Ca2+ concentration was only increased in P. vulgaris and not in P. sativum. Detached leaves of both species required 5 mM Ca2+ supplied to via the transpiration stream to induce stomatal closure, however, maximum in vivo xylem sap Ca2+ concentrations of limed plants was only 1.7 mM and thus not high enough to influence stomata.

Conclusion

We conclude that an alternative xylem-borne antitranspirant other than Ca2+ decreases gas exchange of limed plants.

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Acknowledgments

SR thanks the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for award of a studentship in support of this work and Horiba UK Ltd are thanked for the kind donation of the calcium ion-selective electrode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Shane A. Rothwell & Ian C. Dodd

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  1. Shane A. Rothwell
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  2. Ian C. Dodd
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Correspondence to Shane A. Rothwell.

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Rothwell, S.A., Dodd, I.C. Xylem sap calcium concentrations do not explain liming-induced inhibition of legume gas exchange. Plant Soil 382, 17–30 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2118-5

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Keywords

  • Calcium
  • Lime
  • Pisum sativum
  • Phaseolus vulgaris
  • Stomatal conductance
  • Xylem sap