The influence of phosphate concentration on the kinetics of uptake by maize roots

In an experiment with native maize roots depending on different phosphorus concentration in the external solution (0.001 … 50 mM P), the multiphasic character of the kinetics of phosphate uptake has been stated. The single phases are characterized by the different values of K m and V max . In the wide range of concentrations the isotherm of the phosphate uptake has five evident phases. The character of kinetics for the uptake of phosphate is analogical to the kinetics of the enzymatic reactions described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. On the other hand the linear dependence for the inactivated root was determined, i.e. the uptake of phosphate versus different phosphorus concentration in the external solution. The graphic representation of the logarithmic values for the phosphorus taken up versus the different phosphorus concentration in the external solution gives the biphasic course including concentration less than 1.0 mM P and more than 1.0 mM P. Within the framework of the concentration range the following values of V max , K m and ϕ in were calculated under the conditions if the concentration of phosphorus is less than 1.0mMP: V max = 1.705 μmol P × g -1 h -1 , K m = 0.057 mM P and ϕ in = 0.83, i.e. if the concentration of phosphorus is more than 1.0mM P: V max = 40 μmol P × g -1 h -1 , K m = 16.66 mM and ϕ in = 20. According to these results, the phosphate concentration in the external solution influences the activity of the transport mechanisms concerning their conformative changes which discretely change their working regime of membrane transport. This is also demonstrated in the change of values V max , K m and ϕ in .