Calcification in Plants

Arnott, Howard J.; Pautard, F. G. E.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-8485-4_8

Cited by 162 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 86 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Descriptions of raphides indicate that the number of sides and tip morphology is quite variable in different taxa (Arnott & Pautard, 1970;Franceschi & Horner, 1980). Four-sided (square-rectangular) raphides with chisel shaped apices, such as those found in the mature leaves selected for SEM in this study (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Form, Distribution and Seasonal Accumulation of Calcium in Kiwifruit Leaves

Clark

Smith

Walker³

1987

New Phytologist

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYSeasonal changes in the content of Ca and Mg in leaf hlades collected from mature kiwifruit [Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev.) C. F. Liang et A. R. Ferguson var. deliciosa] vines in a highproducing orchard were measured by a sequential fractionation procedure (14 M acetic acid, 0-25 M HCl and residual). Total Ca and Mg concentrations decreased within the first 4 weeks of growth, but increased linearly thereafter to be 1322 and 197 //mol g~^ dry weight, respectively, by leaf fall. Total quantities of Ca and Mg accumulated at this time were approximately 2500 and 380/imol per blade. Calcium oxalate, dissolved in the HCl extract, was the predominant fraction at every harvest, accounting for up to 79 % of the total Ca content shortly after leaf emergence, and decreasing to 42 % at leaf fall. The quantity of physiologically active Ca (acetic acid-soluhle) ranged from a minimum of 15 % (8 weeks after emergence) to a maximum of 41 % at the end of the season. Forms of Ca remaining in the solid residue after extraction made only a minor contribution (3 to 21 %) to the total content at any time during the season. In contrast, however, 89 to 96% of the total Mg was extracted by acetic acid at every harvest, with the remainder dissolved hy HCl. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis of the lamina of mature leaves indicated the presence of two crystalline, Ca-rich products which differed in their morphology, location and distribution. Large styloids (120 to 270 //m in length) were concentrated in idioblasts adjacent to vascular tissue, while bundles of four-sided raphides, containing wedge-shaped apices, were located predominantly hetween the major transport vessels of the vascular tissue. X-ray diffraction analysis of crystalline isolates confirmed that both morphological forms are calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite).

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Form, Distribution and Seasonal Accumulation of Calcium in Kiwifruit Leaves

Clark

Smith

Walker³

1987

New Phytologist

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The most widespread leaf minerals are silica and calcium oxalate, and to a lesser extent calcium carbonate. [1,2] Calcium oxalate and silica are known to take part in plant calcium regulation, heavy metal detoxification, mechanical support and plant protection. [3,4] Oval-shaped and relatively large calcified bodies, known as cystoliths, occur in few, albeit large families of angiosperms, and exhibit common features in different species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Certain Biominerals in Leaves Function as Light Scatterers

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cystoliths are amorphous calcium carbonate bodies that form in the leaves of some plant families. Cystoliths are regularly distributed in the epidermis and protrude into the photosynthetic tissue, the mesophyll. The photosynthetic pigments generate a steep light gradient in the leaf. Under most illumination regimes the outer mesophyll is light saturated, thus the photosynthetic apparatus is kinetically unable to use the excess light for photochemistry. Here we use micro‐scale modulated fluorometry to demonstrate that light scattered by the cystoliths is distributed from the photosynthetically inefficient upper tissue to the efficient, but light deprived, lower tissue. The results prove that the presence of light scatterers reduces the steep light gradient, thus enabling the leaf to use the incoming light flux more efficiently. MicroCT and electron microscopy confirm that the spatial distribution of the minerals is compatible with their optical function. During the study we encountered large calcium oxalate druses in the same anatomical location as the cystoliths. These druses proved to have similar light scattering functions as the cystoliths. This study shows that certain minerals in the leaves of different plants distribute the light flux more evenly inside the leaf.

show abstract

“…plants (Arnott and Pautard, 1970;Franceschi and Horner, 1980;Frey-Wyssling, 1935, 1981Zindler-Frank, 1976). McNair (1932) reported that calcium oxalate deposits are present in over 240 families of flowering plants, and in many plants calcium oxalate constitutes a substantial fraction of the total calcium (Zindler-Frank, 1976).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The intravacuolar organic matrix associated with calcium oxalate crystals in leaves of Vitis

et al. 1995

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summaryin Vitis (grape) calcium oxalate crystals form in a needlelike morphology unique to plants, presenting an intriguing system of biological control over mineral formation. Crystals develop within an organic matrix which appears to provide control over the sites and forms of crystal deposition; however, little is known about the chemical nature of the matrix. A procedure has been developed to isolate crystals along with their associated intravecuolar matrix from leaves of grape, and studies have been initiated into the chemical composition of the matrix by characterizing elemental content, carbohydrates, and protein. The isolated matrix consisted of two structural phases, membrane chambers enclosing developing crystals, and a water-soluble phase surrounding the crystal chambers. Elemental analysis detected substantial calcium and potassium, as well as some iron in the water-soluble phase. Analysis of the water-soluble matrix by GC-MS showed that it contained an unusual polymer with novel glucuronic acid linkages. In addition, linkage analysis indicated 6-linked arabinans, arabinogalactan, and various mannosyl units typical of complex carbohydrates of Nlinked glycoproteins. SDS-PAGE analysis of the wetersoluble matrix and crystal chambers showed that each had distinct banding profiles in silver-stained gels, with prominent 60 and 70 kOa polypeptides in crystal chamber extracts. Demineralization studies provided direct evidence that the isolated matrix promotes crystal nucleation. The findings about the organic matrix associated with calcium oxalate crystals in grape are discussed in relation to crystal nucleation and growth and features shared with animal and microbial biomineralization systems.

show abstract

Calcification in Plants

Cited by 162 publications

References 86 publications

The Form, Distribution and Seasonal Accumulation of Calcium in Kiwifruit Leaves

The Form, Distribution and Seasonal Accumulation of Calcium in Kiwifruit Leaves

Certain Biominerals in Leaves Function as Light Scatterers

The intravacuolar organic matrix associated with calcium oxalate crystals in leaves of Vitis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About