PurposeCalcium (Ca 2+ ) is a major structural plant nutrient whose low mobility in the phloem causes deleterious nutritional disorders in non-transpiring organs. Since strontium (Sr 2+ ) and Ca 2+ share many chemical properties, Sr 2+ is frequently used as a tracer to study Ca 2+ cycles in ecosystems. However, the level of agreement between Sr 2+ and Ca 2+ distribution pattern in plants is debatable, and several studies have reported toxic effects of Sr 2+ . Therefore, we investigated Sr 2+ and Ca 2+ uptake rates and distribution pattern to determine how reliably Sr 2+ can be used as a tracer of Ca 2+ in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). MethodsWe conducted six independent experiments of various duration: from a few hours to several weeks, in hydroponic and perlite substrate. We treated plants with either Ca 2+ or Sr 2+ at equivalent concentrations and monitored their accumulation in shoot and fruits. ResultsUnder short-term exposure (hours), Ca 2+ and Sr 2+ uptake and distribution within the plant were comparable, while the long-term exposure (days and weeks) to 4 mM Sr 2+ reduced transpiration and biomass accumulation. The toxic effect of Sr 2+ was more prominent when growth conditions were favourable. Nonetheless, Sr 2+ accumulated similarly to Ca 2+ in shoot and fruit. Surprisingly, Sr 2+ deposition in tomato fruit cell walls prevented blossom end rot (BER) to the same degree as Ca 2+ . ConclusionSr 2+ can credibly be used as a tracer of Ca 2+ uptake and allocation in the short-term, making Sr 2+ a powerful tool to study the factors governing Ca 2+ allocation to plant organs, primarily fruit Ca 2+ delivery.
PurposeCalcium (Ca2+) is a major structural plant nutrient whose low mobility in the phloem causes deleterious nutritional disorders in non-transpiring organs. Since strontium (Sr2+) and Ca2+ share many chemical properties, Sr2+ is frequently used as a tracer to study Ca2+ cycles in ecosystems. However, the level of agreement between Sr2+ and Ca2+ distribution pattern in plants is debatable, and several studies have reported toxic effects of Sr2+. Therefore, we investigated Sr2+ and Ca2+ uptake rates and distribution pattern to determine how reliably Sr2+ can be used as a tracer of Ca2+ in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.). MethodsWe conducted six independent experiments of various duration: from a few hours to several weeks, in hydroponic and perlite substrate. We treated plants with either Ca2+ or Sr2+ at equivalent concentrations and monitored their accumulation in shoot and fruits. ResultsUnder short-term exposure (hours), Ca2+ and Sr2+ uptake and distribution within the plant were comparable, while the long-term exposure (days and weeks) to 4 mM Sr2+ reduced transpiration and biomass accumulation. The toxic effect of Sr2+ was more prominent when growth conditions were favourable. Nonetheless, Sr2+ accumulated similarly to Ca2+ in shoot and fruit. Surprisingly, Sr2+ deposition in tomato fruit cell walls prevented blossom end rot (BER) to the same degree as Ca2+. ConclusionSr2+ can credibly be used as a tracer of Ca2+ uptake and allocation in the short-term, making Sr2+ a powerful tool to study the factors governing Ca2+ allocation to plant organs, primarily fruit Ca2+ delivery.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.