Cui Li1, Peng Wang2,3, Neal W Menzies1, Enzo Lombi4, Peter M Kopittke1. 1. The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia. 2. Nanjing Agricultural University, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing, 210095, China. 3. The University of Queensland, Soil Environment and Plant Nutrition Research, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia. 4. University of South Australia, Future Industries Institute, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, 5095, Australia.
Abstract
Background and Aims: Foliar fertilization to overcome nutritional deficiencies is becoming increasingly widespread. However, the processes of foliar nutrient absorption and translocation are poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate how cuticular leaf properties affect the absorption of foliar-applied nutrients in leaf tissues. Methods: Given that methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can cause alterations in leaf properties, we applied 1 mm MeJA to sunflower (Helianthus annuus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and soybean (Glycine max) to assess changes in leaf properties. Using traditionally analytical approaches and synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy, the effects of these changes on the absorption and translocation of foliar-applied Zn, Mn and Fe were examined. Key Results: The changes in leaf properties caused by the application of MeJA increased foliar absorption of Zn, Mn and Fe up to 3- to 5-fold in sunflower but decreased it by 0·5- to 0·9-fold in tomato, with no effect in soybean. These changes in the foliar absorption of nutrients could not be explained by changes in overall trichome density, which increased in both sunflower (86%) and tomato (76%) (with no change in soybean). Similarly, the changes could be not attributed to changes in stomatal density or cuticle composition, given that these properties remained constant. Rather, the changes in the foliar absorption of Zn, Mn and Fe were related to the thickness of the cuticle and epidermal cell wall. Finally, the subsequent translocation of the absorbed nutrients within the leaf tissues was limited (<1·3mm) irrespective of treatment. Conclusions: The present study highlights the potential importance of the combined thickness of the cuticle and epidermal cell wall in the absorption of foliar-applied nutrients. This information will assist in increasing the efficacy of foliar fertilization.
Background and Aims: Foliar fertilization to overcome nutritional deficiencies is becoming increasingly widespread. However, the processes of foliar nutrient absorption and translocation are poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate how cuticular leaf properties affect the absorption of foliar-applied nutrients in leaf tissues. Methods: Given that methyl jasmonate (MeJA) can cause alterations in leaf properties, we applied 1 mm MeJA to sunflower (Helianthus annuus), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and soybean (Glycine max) to assess changes in leaf properties. Using traditionally analytical approaches and synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy, the effects of these changes on the absorption and translocation of foliar-applied Zn, Mn and Fe were examined. Key Results: The changes in leaf properties caused by the application of MeJA increased foliar absorption of Zn, Mn and Fe up to 3- to 5-fold in sunflower but decreased it by 0·5- to 0·9-fold in tomato, with no effect in soybean. These changes in the foliar absorption of nutrients could not be explained by changes in overall trichome density, which increased in both sunflower (86%) and tomato (76%) (with no change in soybean). Similarly, the changes could be not attributed to changes in stomatal density or cuticle composition, given that these properties remained constant. Rather, the changes in the foliar absorption of Zn, Mn and Fe were related to the thickness of the cuticle and epidermal cell wall. Finally, the subsequent translocation of the absorbed nutrients within the leaf tissues was limited (<1·3mm) irrespective of treatment. Conclusions: The present study highlights the potential importance of the combined thickness of the cuticle and epidermal cell wall in the absorption of foliar-applied nutrients. This information will assist in increasing the efficacy of foliar fertilization.
Authors: F Pax C Blamey; Maria C Hernandez-Soriano; Miaomiao Cheng; Caixian Tang; David J Paterson; Enzo Lombi; Wei Hong Wang; Kirk G Scheckel; Peter M Kopittke Journal: Plant Physiol Date: 2015-09-22 Impact factor: 8.340
Authors: José A Heredia-Guerrero; José J Benítez; Eva Domínguez; Ilker S Bayer; Roberto Cingolani; Athanassia Athanassiou; Antonio Heredia Journal: Front Plant Sci Date: 2014-06-25 Impact factor: 5.753
Authors: Peter M Kopittke; Tracy Punshon; David J Paterson; Ryan V Tappero; Peng Wang; F Pax C Blamey; Antony van der Ent; Enzo Lombi Journal: Plant Physiol Date: 2018-08-14 Impact factor: 8.340
Authors: Cui Li; Peng Wang; Antony van der Ent; Miaomiao Cheng; Haibo Jiang; Thea Lund Read; Enzo Lombi; Caixian Tang; Martin D de Jonge; Neal W Menzies; Peter M Kopittke Journal: Ann Bot Date: 2019-01-01 Impact factor: 4.357
Authors: Wojciech Koch; Wirginia Kukula-Koch; Marcin Czop; Tomasz Baj; Janusz Kocki; Piotr Bawiec; Roser Olives Casasnovas; Anna Głowniak-Lipa; Kazimierz Głowniak Journal: Molecules Date: 2021-10-04 Impact factor: 4.411
Authors: Cui Li; Linlin Wang; Jingtao Wu; F Pax C Blamey; Nina Wang; Yanlong Chen; Yin Ye; Lei Wang; David J Paterson; Thea L Read; Peng Wang; Enzo Lombi; Yuheng Wang; Peter M Kopittke Journal: Front Plant Sci Date: 2022-03-02 Impact factor: 5.753
Authors: Maja Arsic; Daniel P Persson; Jan K Schjoerring; Lisbeth G Thygesen; Enzo Lombi; Casey L Doolette; Søren Husted Journal: Physiol Plant Date: 2022-07 Impact factor: 5.081
Authors: Casey L Doolette; Thea L Read; Cui Li; Kirk G Scheckel; Erica Donner; Peter M Kopittke; Jan K Schjoerring; Enzo Lombi Journal: J Exp Bot Date: 2018-08-14 Impact factor: 6.992