-Seedlings of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) were grown in hydroponics and submitted either to a potassium deficiency or to an all-macronutrient deficiency. In response to both nutrient stresses, tap root elongation was maintained while lateral root instead of K + , Na + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cl -, (PO 4 3-, HPO 4 2-, H2PO 4 -) and SO 4 2-. Moreover, [K] was written instead of 'potassium concentration' and similarly for other solutes.