Leaching from the leaf surface and its significance for apoplastic ion balance

Abstract

The effect of ion leaching from the leaf apoplast induced by rain, was investigated for different plant species. Using the infiltration/centrifugation technique, ionic composition of the apoplast was evaluated for maize with or without NaCl stress (100 mM). Half of the plants were misted with 10mm daily of simulated acidified rain (pH 3.5). In contrast to other plant species, maize did not show any growth responses to leaching. Apoplastic solution was diluted by the leaching procedure. In 6 week old maize, assuming 80,000 plants per hectare, 0.4 g K⁺, 0.6 g Ca²⁺ and 0.7 g NO₃- might be leached per hectare, per day.