Physiological responses of lupin roots to high pH

Abstract

High pH seems to be a major constraint limiting the production of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) on alkaline soils. Whereas there has been much interest in soil acidity, relatively little is known about the effect of high pH on the growth of roots of higher plants.

Elongation of roots of L. angustifolius was particularly sensitive to pH≥6.0 compared with other species. The effect of high pH in decreasing root elongation in L. angustifolius occurred within one hour. It was via an effect on cell elongation and not cell division and the effect was readily reversible. The mechanisms of the adverse effect of high pH are unknown. The permeability ratio of K⁺ to Na⁺ in the plasma-membrane of the root cortical cells was similar in solutions of both low pH and high pH. Reduced cell growth at high pH was not associated with an inefficiency of proton extrusion to the bulk solution by roots of this species. Nevertheless, increasing buffer concentration in the external solution decreased root elongation more in L. angustifolius than in Lupinus pilosus and Pisum sativum.