Research ArticleOpen AccessGoogle Scholar indexed
The Function of Roots of Tea Plant (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) Cultured by a Novel Form of Hydroponics and Soil Acidification
Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
College of Environment and Disaster Research, Fuji Tokoha University, Fuji, Japan
- 1 Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
- 2 College of Environment and Disaster Research, Fuji Tokoha University, Fuji, Japan
American Journal of Plant Sciences·Volume 03 (2012)·Pages 646–648·Published 30 May 2012·DOI10.4236/ajps.2012.35078
Copy link · social · email
Abstract
A novel form of hydroponic culture was employed to explore the physiological function of roots of a tea plant ( Camellia sinensis ). The pH of the nutrient solution with an actively growing tea plant decreased during cultivation. Furthermore, no oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid or citric acid, all possible factors in acidification, was detected in the nutrient solution of a growing plant. A proton pump inhibitor suppressed the acidification of the solution. Soil acidification might have been accelerated with a proton released from ammoniacal nitrogen preferentially for the growth, suggesting the specific mechanism of tea plant as a functional food.
KeywordsAcid SoilHydroponic CultureOrganic AcidTeaRoot
- L. V. Kochian, “Cellular Mechanisms of Aluminum Toxicity and Resistance in Plants,” Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Molecular Biology, Vol. 46, 1995, pp. 237-260. doi:10.1146/annurev.pp.46.060195.001321
- H. Matsumoto, “Cell Biology of Aluminum Toxicity and Tolerance in Higher Plants,” International Review of Cytology, Vol. 200, 2000, pp. 1-46. doi:10.1016/S0074-7696(00)00001-2
- A. Higa, E. Miyamoto and Y. Kitamura, “Root Tip-Dependent, Active Riboflavin Secretion by Hyoscyamus albus Hairy Roots under Iron Deficiency,” Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Vol. 46, No. 4, 2008, pp. 452-460. doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2008.01.004
- A. Morita, O. Yanagisawa, S. Takatsu, S. Maeda and S. Hiradate, “Mechanism for the Detoxification of Aluminum in Roots of Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze),” Phytochemstry, Vol. 69, No. 1, 2008, pp. 147-153. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.06.007
- S. Konishi, S. Miyamoto and T. Taki, “Stimulatory Effects of Aluminum on Tea Plants Grown under Low and High Phosphorus Supply,” Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Vol. 31, 1985, pp. 361-368.
- S. Konishi, “Promotive Effects of Aluminum on Tea Plant Growth,” Japan Agricultural Research (JARQ), Vol. 26, 1992, pp. 26-33.
- Y. Hernández, M. G. Lobo and M. González, “Factors Affecting Sample Extraction in the Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Organic Acids in Papaya and Pineapple,” Food Chemistry, Vol. 114, No. 2, 2009, pp. 734-741. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.10.021
- Japanese Industrial Standard JIS K-0102, “The Indophenol Blue Absorptiometric Method,” Japanese Standards Association, Vol. 42, 1991.
- J. F. Ma, P. R. Ryan and E. Delhaize, “Aluminium Tolerance in Plants and the Complexing Role of Organic Acids,” Trends in Plant Science, Vol. 6, No. 6, 2001, pp. 273-278. doi:10.1016/S1360-1385(01)01961-6