Growth, Gravitropism, and Endogenous Ion Currents of Cress Roots (Lepidium sativum L.)

A novel, three-dimensional recording, vibrating probe was used for measuring the density and direction of the endogenous ionic current of cress roots (Lepidium sativum L.) bathed in low salt media (artificial pond water, APW). Roots submerged in regular APW and growing vertically show the following current pattern. Current of 0.7 microampere/square centimeter density enters or leaves the root cap; the current changes direction frequently. Current of 1.6 microamperes/square centimeter enters the meristem zone most of the time. Maximum current with a density of 2.2 microamperes/square centimeter enters the apical elongating zone, i.e. between 0.8 and 1.2 millimeters behind the root tip. The current density decreases to 1.4 microamperes/square centimeter at 2 millimeters, i.e. in the central elongating zone, and to 1.0 microampere/square centimeter at 3 millimeters, i.e. in the basal elongating zone. The current direction changes from inward to predominantly outward between 1.2 and 3 millimeters behind the tip. Measurements on opposite flanks of the roots indicate that the current pattern is fairly symmetrical. After placing the roots horizontally, the density of the endogenous current remains stable, but the current direction changes at the root cap and in the meristem zone. The current leaves the root on the upper side and enters on the lower side, causing a highly asymmetrical current pattern at the very tip. The current pattern at the upper and lower side further away from the tip remains the same as in vertical roots. Roots submerged in low Ca(2+) APW show a very different current pattern, no gravitropism, and no change of the current pattern after horizontal orientation. In these roots current enters the root cap and the basal elongating zone and leaves the apical elongating zone. Three conclusions are drawn from these results: First, plant roots elongate by two different modes of growth that are correlated with different current directions. They grow by cytoplasmic enlargement at sites of inward current and by turgor-driven elongation at sites of outward current. Second, a change in the current pattern at the root cap and in the meristem zone is a clear indicator of later gravitropism. Third, Ca(2+) ions are involved in the gravistimulated change in the current pattern, probably affecting the activity of plasmalemma H(+)-ATPases.