Effects of PEG-induced Water Stress on Calcium Uptake in Peach Seedlings

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000)-induced water stress (—0.5 to —7.5 bars) reduced shoot and root growth, water use, and stem 45Ca in seedlings of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch). Sucrose feeding through a leaf did not affect stem 45Ca with or without osmotic stress. 45Calcium uptake per milligram water used was not different at different solution osmotic potentials. A split-root study, with half the root system receiving 45Ca and/or PEG, showed that if 45Ca was supplied only to the water-stressed root half, 45Ca uptake into stems was low regardless of whether the other root half was stressed or not. Results indicate that reduced stem Ca during water stress is probably not a direct result of decreased root energy needed for active uptake or reduced translocation out of the root. Calcium absorption appeared to be related to the amount of unsuberized root surface available for Ca uptake.