K/Na selectivity at the plasmalemma of cortical root cells and preferential release of sodium to the xylem vessels in roots of Atriplex hortensis

Using excised roots of Atriplex hortensis L., cv. Gelbe Gartenmelde, the uptake, accumulation and xylem transport of K+ and Na+ have been measured. Influx as well as xylem transport proved to discriminate little between K+ and Na+, when considered in relation to the external solution. Both K+ and Na+ inhibited the uptake and xylem transport of each other to about the same degree. Measurements of intracel‐lular Na+ fluxes by means of compartment analysis indicated that the low degree of K/Na discrimination during uptake was due to low influx selectivity. Moreover, K+/Na+ exchange at the plasmalemma was not very efficient in Atriplex roots. In order to establish the basis of the low K/Na discrimination in xylem transport, the rates of K+ and Na+ transport were related to the cytoplasmic K+ and Na+ concentrations to yield the selectivity ratio of transport, S(transport) = (ϕcx(K) × [Na+]c)/(ϕcx(Na) × [K+]c). Under all conditions this ratio was far below one indicating that Na+ was favoured during xylem release in excised roots of Atriplex at low external concentrations. The implications of this discrimination in favour of Na+ are discussed with respect to salt tolerance of A. hortensis.