Phosphorus transport and phosphorus nutrition in Lemna (Lemna major L.) and Spirodela (Spirodela oligorrhiza (Kurz.) Hegelm.)

by McPharlin, Ian Ross

This study investigated Pi uptake and P efflux in sterile cultures of Spirodela (Spirodela oligorrhiza (Kurz.) Hegelm.) and Lemna (Lemna major L.) plants during the early stges of P-deficiency.

Within 12 hours of transfer to a P-deficient medium Pi uptake rates by P-deficient (-P) plants were enhanced 30 to 120% compared with P-adequate (+P) controls when Pi was resupplied at 1 to 1000 ?M. The enhancement in Pi uptake rates with P-deficiency normally preceded and was more pronounced than other effects of P-deficiency such as reduced growth, reduced internal P concentration and appearance of visual symptoms.