Cation and total macroelement concentrations influence Ca uptake in micropropagated potato plantlets

Ca uptake by micropropagated 'Norland' potato plantlets was investigated in relation to cation and macroelement salt concentrations in modified Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal media. Increased Ca:specific cations, by lowering NH(4), Mg, or K, had little effect on the Ca content of plantlets grown on these media. Increased Ca:total cation ratio, by raising Ca from 3 to 6 mM in the medium, promoted Ca content of micropropagated plantlets. At equivalent Ca:total cation ratio, macroelement dilution increased the osmotic potential of the medium, and had an even greater impact on plantlet shoot Ca content. Root pressure, which is sensitive to variations in salt concentration, was probably the primary Ca delivery method to developing tissues since transpiration was limited in vitro. In vitro systems appear ideal for studying some aspects of nutrient relationships of plants.