Effect of Sodium Nutrition on Chlorophyll <i>a/b</i> Ratios in C4 Plants

Abstract

Methods for the determination of chlorophyll were compared in Amaranthus tricolor, Kochia childsii and Chloris gayana. From sequential extraction data, 96% ethanol appeared to be more efficient than 80% acetone in extracting chlorophyll from these plants. The chlorophyll a/b ratio was significantly lower in sodium-deficient compared to normal C4 plants. Of the group I elements, only sodium, irrespective of the salt supplied to deficient cultures, restored the chlorophyll a/b ratios to the value observed in normal plants. The concentration of sodium required to increase the chlorophyll a/b ratio in leaves of sodium-deficient plants was similar to that required to bring about the growth responses. The increase of the chlorophyll a/b ratio occurred at an early stage during recovery from sodium deficiency preceding the increase in chlorophyll concentration and the growth response. It is therefore likely that the low chlorophyll a/b ratio may be intrinsically associated with the condition of sodium deficiency.