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

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Published on: September 1, 2020

Spatiotemporal distribution of essential elements through Populus leaf ontogeny.

Mónica R Carvalho¹, Arthur Woll², Karl J Niklas³

¹School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Plant Biology Section, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Journal of Experimental Botany

|March 18, 2016

Summary

Calcium (Ca) allocation in poplar leaves tracks xylem and phloem maturation, coordinating sugar export during the crucial sink-to-source transition. This elemental mapping reveals key developmental processes in plant leaves.

Keywords:

Calcium Populus X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.essential elements leaf development leaf maturation phloem loading

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A Method to Preserve Wetland Roots and Rhizospheres for Elemental Imaging

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Published on: February 15, 2021

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Plant Anatomy
Biogeochemistry

Background:

Leaf development involves complex metabolic shifts, including the transition from sugar sink to source.
Understanding elemental distribution is crucial for deciphering plant growth and nutrient allocation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) during grey poplar leaf development.
To correlate elemental accumulation patterns with leaf maturation, phloem transport, and the sink-to-source transition.

Main Methods:

Micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to generate whole-leaf elemental maps of dried grey poplar leaves (plastochrons 01-10).
Cross-sections of fresh leaves were analyzed to determine tissue-specific element accumulation.
Elemental distribution was analyzed in relation to leaf developmental stages and vascular tissue maturation.

Main Results:

Potassium (K) and zinc (Z) distribution remained consistent throughout leaf development.
Calcium (Ca) accumulation varied significantly with leaf developmental stage.
Basipetal Ca allocation to the mesophyll spatially and temporally coincided with phloem maturation, positive carbon balance, and sugar export.

Conclusions:

Calcium (Ca) accumulation in poplar leaves is closely linked to xylem maturation and increased transpiration.
The findings confirm the coordinated spatial and temporal maturation of xylem and phloem with the initiation of sugar export in developing leaves.
Elemental mapping provides insights into the physiological processes governing leaf development and function.