Uptake efficiency of roots in plants at different ploidy levels

Abstract

SummaryThe uptake efficiency of roots for sulphate and potassium was evaluated in wheat, sugar beet, and tomato, at different ploidy levels. At increasing ploidy, wheat and sugar beet showed higher, tomato lower efficiency, the polyploid absorption system being characterized in sugar beet by higher Vmax and Km, in wheat by higher Vmax and unchanged Km, in tomato by lower Vmax and Km. Uptake efficiency of roots appears tightly bound to the evolutionary progress, that is to the level of environment adaptation of plants, and should be susceptible of further improvement by breeding practices.