Understanding calcium functionality by examining growth characteristics and structural aspects in calcium-deficient grapevine

Abstract

This study characterized growth characteristics and cellular details employing microscopy techniques in hydroponically-grown Ca2+-sufficient and Ca2+-deficient grapevines (Vitis vinifera) in a glasshouse. The Ca2+-deficient vines exhibited significant reductions in shoot length, shoot and trunk fresh weights, leaf area, chlorophyll, which eventually led to drooping, yellowing, and chlorosis of leaves. Roots were less dense and primarily dark and necrotic. Furthermore, their xylem vessels were small, polygonal, and appeared to be collapsed yet increased in number and developed lateral roots. Despite such alterations, the anatomical organization of leaves was not affected, yet they developed with more xylem vessels with thick walls and lignin in their mesophyll and vascular tissues. The chloroplasts in internodes’ chlorenchyma, phloem, and cambium underwent significant ultrastructural modifications. The concentrations of macro and micronutrients varied significantly among the roots, trunk, canes, and leaves, including the growth characteristics. These structural and growth modifications of calcium deficiency enable us to understand better the link between the symptoms and functions and for a holistic understanding of Ca2+ functionalities.

Exploring the Role of Calcium in the Physiology of Tulipa: A Comparative Study across Different Cultivars

“…Both the 'Strong Gold' and 'Orange Juice' leaf areas decreased when Ca 2+ was not supplied. This result was also found in grapevine [12]. Some growers believe that the tulip bulb has enough food for growth and development.…”

“…However, it did not affect the plant height. The inhibition of root growth under Ca 2+ deficiency has also been found in many plant species, such as begonia [11], grapevine [12], and narcissus [13]. The cessation of root growth under Ca deficiency is due to the function of Ca in counterbalancing the effects of high concentrations of other ions at the plasma membrane.…”

Protection of the DNA from Selected Species of Five Kingdoms in Nature by Ba(II), Sr(II), and Ca(II) Silica–Carbonates: Implications about Biogenicity and Evolving from Prebiotic Chemistry to Biological Chemistry

“…In plants, Ca 2+ is an essential nutrient, and like in other organisms, it is part of the cell wall and membranes and is a second messenger in diverse processes like fertilization. − Calcium, as a structural component, plays a relevant role in the morphology of plants, which is influenced by the effects of tension and compression, and the latter mechanisms are regulated by Ca 2+ . , In addition, Ca 2+ stabilizes cell membranes through its interaction with phospholipids, , which reveals that biomolecules interact with Ca 2+ to stabilize the cell structures. For biomorphs synthesized in the presence of DNA, calcium must be interacting with the phosphate groups, influencing the morphology they adopt.…”

Optimal Allocation Strategies of Plant Calcium on Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

“…In leaves, Ca plays crucial roles in gas exchange by regulating stomatal movement, and in carbon assimilation, by regulating enzyme activity (Wang et al., 2019). Ca is also involved in root elongation, which facilitates underground resource acquisition (Duan et al., 2022; Kirkby & Pilbeam, 1984). The warm and humid environment of the forests on the southeastern edge and south of the TP, with adequate water and heat resources, enhances intra‐ and inter‐specific competition.…”