Effect of wheat phosphorus status on leaf surface properties and permeability to foliar-applied phosphorus

Aims This study aimed to analyse the effect of phosphorus (P) nutritional status on wheat leaf surface properties, in relation to foliar P absorption and translocation. Methods Plants of Triticum aestivum cv. Axe were grown with three rates of root P supply (equivalent to 24, 8 and 0 kg P ha−1) unde...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 2014-11, Vol.384 (1/2), p.7-20
Main Authors: Fernández, Victoria, Guzmán, Paula, Peirce, Courtney A. E., McBeath, Therese M., Khayet, Mohamed, McLaughlin, Mike J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption
Adhesion
Analysis
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Chemical properties
Ecology
Fertilizers
Leaves
Life Sciences
Nutritional status
Permeability
Phosphorus
Physiological aspects
Plant cuticle
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Plants
Regular Article
Soil permeability
Soil Science & Conservation
Soil water
Sustainable agriculture
Translocation
Trichomes
Triticum aestivum
Wheat
Wheat soils
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Aims This study aimed to analyse the effect of phosphorus (P) nutritional status on wheat leaf surface properties, in relation to foliar P absorption and translocation. Methods Plants of Triticum aestivum cv. Axe were grown with three rates of root P supply (equivalent to 24, 8 and 0 kg P ha−1) under controlled conditions. Foliar P treatments were applied and the rate of drop retention, P absorption and translocation was measured. Adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The contact angles, surface free energy and work-of-adhesion for water were determined. Results Wheat leaves are markedly non-wettable, the abaxial leaf side having some degree of water drop adhesion versus the strong repulsion of water drops by the adaxial side. The total leaf area, stomatal and trichome densities, cuticle thickness and contact angles decreased with P deficiency, while the work-of-adhesion for water increased. Phosphorous deficient plants failed to absorb the foliar-applied P. Conclusions Phosphorous deficiency altered the surface structure and functioning of wheat leaves, which became more wettable and had a higher degree of water drop adhesion, but turned less permeable to foliar-applied P. The results obtained are discussed within an agronomic and eco-physiological context.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/s11104-014-2052-6