Manganese Supply and pH Influence Growth, Carboxylate Exudation and Peroxidase Activity of Ryegrass and White Clover

ABSTRACT

The effects of differential manganese (Mn) supply (0 to 355 μ M) and pH (4.8 and 6.0) on dry weight (DW), tissue concentrations of Mn, exudation of carboxylates, and the peroxidase activity were studied in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) grown in nutrient solution. In both plant species, the increase in Mn supply caused a significant reduction in DW due to severe Mn toxicity, especially at pH 4.8. The critical toxicity concentration of Mn in shoots was 421 mg kg^{− 1} for ryegrass and 283 mg kg^{− 1} for white clover. For both plant species, an increase in Mn supply levels stimulated the exudation of carboxylates and the activity of peroxidase, which was related to stress conditions. The highest amount of carboxylates was exuded at pH 4.8. There was no clear effect of carboxylates on the complexation of Mn^{2 +}.

Keywords:

• carboxylate exudation
• manganese toxicity
• peroxidase
• ryegrass
• white clover

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by the Andes Foundation N°C 13755–28 and the Fondecyt N° 1020934 and MECESUP FRO 0309 Grants.