Journal of Plant Nutrition 

About: Journal of Plant Nutrition is an academic journal published by Marcel Dekker. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Plant nutrition & Fertilizer. It has an ISSN identifier of 0190-4167. Over the lifetime, 7199 publications have been published receiving 148116 citations.

Accumulators and excluders ?strategies in the response of plants to heavy metals

Abstract: Plants colonizing metalliferous soils have evolved physiological mechanisms which enable them to tolerate metal toxicity. These mechanisms do not generally suppress metal uptake but result in internal detoxification. Two basic strategies of plant response are suggested, accumulators and excluders. In the former, metals can be concentrated in plant parts from low or high background levels. By contrast, differential uptake and transport between root and shoot in excluders, lead to more or less constant low shoot levels over a wide range of external concentration. ‘Indicators’ are seen as a further mode of response where proportional relationships exist between metal levels in the soil, uptake and accumulation in plant parts. The physiological properties of accumulator and excluder species are considered in relation to metal tolerance mechanisms.

Different strategies in higher plants in mobilization and uptake of iron

Abstract: Higher plants differ considerably in their capability for mobilization of iron in the rhizospere of soils with low iron availability. In the plant kingdom at least two different Strategies exist in the Fe deficiency‐induced root responses which lead to enhancement of both iron mobilization in the rhizosphere and uptake rate of iron. Strategy I is found in all dicots and in monocots, with the exception of the grasses (graminaceous species, e.g. barley, corn, sorghum). Strategy I is characterized in all instances, by an increase in the activity of a plasma membrane‐bound reductase leading to enhanced rates of Fe‐III reduction and corresponding splitting of Fe‐III‐chelates at the plasma membrane. Often, the net rate of H+ extrusion, i.e. acidification of the rhizosphere, is also increased. This acidification facilitates iron uptake by both enhancement of the reductase activity and solubilization of iron in the rhizosphere. An additional mobilization of sparingly soluble iron in the rhizosphere may o...

Plant water relations as affected by heavy metal stress: A review

Abstract: High metal availability, arising from mining and industrial activities, disposal of sewage sludge or soil acidification, is an increasing problem in agriculture and forestry. Metal toxicity causes multiple direct and indirect effects in plants which concern practically all physiological functions. In this review we consider the effects of excess heavy metals and aluminium on those functions which will alter plant water relations. After a brief comment on the metal effects in cell walls and plasmalemma, and their consequences for cell expansion growth, the influences of high metal availability on the factors which regulate water entry and water exit in plants are considered. Emphasis is placed on the importance of distinguishing between low water availability in mine and serpentine soils and toxicity effects in plants which may impair the regulation of a plant's water household. Examples on water relations of both plants grown on metalliferous soil and hydroponics are discussed. The effects of met...

Effect of nanoscale zinc oxide particles on the germination, growth and yield of peanut

Abstract: An investigation was initiated to examine the effects of nanoscale zinc oxide particles on plant growth and development. In view of the widespread cultivation of peanut in India and in other parts of the globe and in view of the potential influence of zinc on its growth, this plant was chosen as the model system. Peanut seeds were separately treated with different concentrations of nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnO) and chelated bulk zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) suspensions (a common zinc supplement), respectively and the effect this treatment had on seed germination, seedling vigor, plant growth, flowering, chlorophyll content, pod yield and root growth were studied. Treatment of nanoscale ZnO (25 nm mean particle size) at 1000 ppm concentration promoted both seed germination and seedling vigor and in turn showed early establishment in soil manifested by early flowering and higher leaf chlorophyll content. These particles proved effective in increasing stem and root growth. Pod yield per plant was 34% higher compared to...

Utilization index: A modified approach to the estimation and comparison of nutrient utilization efficiency in plants

Abstract: The disadvantages of using utilization quotient (biomass per unit amount of nutrient present in biomass) in comparing nutrient utilization efficiencies of different varieties and species are discussed. A modified approach to the estimation of utilization efficiency is presented. A comparison of efficiencies of two plants calculated by this method gives an index which is the ratio of biomass ratio: tissue nutrient concentration ratio. Theoretical validity and advantages in practical application of this approach are discussed.