TITLE:
The Physiological Basis of Heterosis for Potassium Uptake of Hybrid Millet
AUTHORS:
Zihui Liu, Binhui Liu, Hongmei Zhang, Guoliang Li, Yanmin Zhang, Xiulin Guo
KEYWORDS:
Hybrid Millet, Potassium Uptake, Heterosis, Physiological Characteristics
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.13,
June
24,
2014
ABSTRACT: Hybrid millet Zhang
and its parental cultivars were studied for their potassium (K) uptake and
accumulation characteristics and related physiological
mechanisms. Hydroponic culture was performed with two K levels (i.e., high and low) set up. At high K
level, hybrid millet showed heterobeltiosis in K accumulation and leaf K
content, and it also had higher H+-ATPase activity, respiration rate,
root oxidant activity and root K+ influx rate than its parental cultivars. All these lay the physiological
foundation of heterosis for potassium uptake of hybrid millet. At low K level,
the hybrid millet had a lower H+-ATPase activity and a higher K
efflux rate than its parental cultivars, thus heterobeltiosis in K accumulation
or leaf K content was not observed. Therefore, high level K fertilizer application
is recommended for hybrid millet cultivation as it is favorable for hybrid
millet to display heterosis in K uptake and K accumulation.