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Related Concept Videos

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...
The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition02:11

The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition

Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
Water and Mineral Acquisition02:34

Water and Mineral Acquisition

Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores02:40

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the biosynthesis of the...
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores02:26

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...

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Lichen substances prevent lichens from nutrient deficiency.

Markus Hauck1, Karen Willenbruch, Christoph Leuschner

  • 1Department of Plant Ecology, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Germany. mhauck@gwdg.de

Journal of Chemical Ecology
|January 20, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Lichen compounds like usnic acid enhance copper uptake in epiphytic lichens, aiding survival in nutrient-poor environments. However, these substances can inhibit manganese uptake, a metal often found in toxic concentrations.

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Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil

Published on: September 1, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Lichenology
  • Environmental Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Epiphytic lichens like Evernia mesomorpha and Ramalina menziesii inhabit acidic, nutrient-poor bark environments.
  • Lichen secondary metabolites, such as usnic acid and divaricatic acid, play roles in metal interactions.
  • Copper (Cu2+) is a rare micronutrient, while manganese (Mn2+) can reach toxic levels in bark leachates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of lichen substances in the intracellular uptake of various metal ions (Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, Zn2+) by epiphytic lichens.
  • To determine if specific lichen metabolites influence metal bioavailability and uptake in challenging habitats.

Main Methods:

  • Controlled laboratory experiments exposing E. mesomorpha and R. menziesii to solutions containing different metal ions.
  • Analysis of intracellular metal concentrations within lichen tissues.
  • Comparison of metal uptake in the presence and absence of specific lichen secondary metabolites.

Main Results:

  • Usnic acid promoted intracellular Cu2+ uptake in both species.
  • Divaricatic acid, present in E. mesomorpha, appeared to further enhance Cu2+ uptake.
  • Lichen substances in E. mesomorpha partially inhibited Mn2+ uptake, consistent with previous findings.
  • Uptake of Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, and Zn2+ was not significantly affected by lichen substances.

Conclusions:

  • Lichen secondary metabolites are crucial for managing essential micronutrient (Cu2+) acquisition in nutrient-limited environments.
  • These compounds also provide a protective mechanism against potentially toxic metal accumulation (Mn2+).
  • Differential effects of lichen substances on metal uptake highlight their complex ecological roles in lichen survival.