journal of forest science

The influence of different methods of autoclaving and dating of
measurement on the rate of electrolyte leakage from oak tap root
M. SARVAŠ
Forestry Research Institute, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
The plant quality is a complicated complex of traits
which in their interaction influence survival and growth.
There are some simple methods (measurements of morphological
parameters) to determine external damage of
planting stock. But physiological quality plays a decisive
role in successful survival and regrowth of plants
after afforestation.
Besides plant damage, the physiological quality is influenced
by other factors too. These factors very significantly
influence key traits of planting stock quality. The
nursery practice (undercutting, transplantation) has a considerable
effect on root growth potential, different regimes
of cold storage influence water content in plant
tissues, and very important role is played by the end and
beginning of dormancy which influence mitotic index
and chlorophyll florescence.
The measurement of electrolyte leakage is one of the
methods which is very often used for finding the actual
physiological planting stock quality. DEXTER et al.
(1932) described a principle of this method for the first
time. In his study he concluded that the injury or killing
of tissue, by cold or by any other means, involves the
disorganization of the substances essential for carrying
on the processes of life. With such disorganization, it is
well recognized that the cell loses its capacity to regulate
the diffusion of its soluble contents. Upon this basis, it
was assumed that the degree of injury from low temperature
to overwintering and other plant structures might
be correlated with the exosmoses of electrolytes and
other material following exposure to cold. PALTA et al.
(1977) writes that electrolyte leakage is an index of the
JOURNAL O OREST SCIENCE, 47, 2001 (7): 301–306
ABSTRACT: In this study sensitivity of the method of measurement of electrolyte leakage from oak tap root was examined.
The influence of different intervals of measurement after stress treatment on the rate of electrolyte leakage was
studied. The results showed that the rate of electrolyte leakage decreased in time after frost treatment (after 2 months by
100%). On the other hand, after desiccation treatment the rate of electrolyte leakage was the same. The rate of electrolyte
leakage can be influenced not only by injury of cells but also by the methodology of measurement and therefore it is problematic
to make a comparison of results obtained by different methods of measurement. It is necessary to use the same
method of measurement for all variants.
Keywords: electrolyte leakage; physiological quality of planting stock; oak bare-rooted seedlings; tap root
semi-permeable properties of the cell membranes. MC-
KAY (1998) wrote that if fine roots are capable of maintaining
a low level of electrolyte leakage it is probable
that they would also be capable of water uptake.
The ability of cell membranes to control the rate of ion
movement in and out of cells is used as a test of damage
for a great range of tissue samples from seeds (SAHLÉN,
GJELSVIK 1993), roots (MCKAY 1992, 1993, 1998; SAR-
VAŠ 1998, 1999; SCHÜTE, SARVAŠ 1999), needles (BURR
et al. 1990), stems (DEANS et al. 1995). Some works used
the rate of electrolyte leakage from needles or shoots to
determine frost hardiness (COLOMBO, HICKIE 1987;
MURRAY et al. 1989). TINUS (1996) and TINUS and
BURR (1997) used measurements of electrolyte leakage
from needles to determine the time of autumn seedling
lifting for cold storage and their results showed that there
was indeed a relationship between cold hardiness at the
time of lifting and field survival of white and red pine,
but this relationship for Norway spruce was more complex.
In general, several studies have concluded the possibility
to find physiological quality of planting stock by
measurements of electrolyte leakage. Unfortunately, it is
problematic to make a comparison of separate results.
Some works have used for testing samples from fine roots
(MCKAY 1992, 1993, 1998; MCEVOY, MCKAY 1997;
KERR, HARPER 1992), tap root (SARVAŠ 1998, 1999;
SCHÜTE, SARVAŠ 1999), stem (COLOMBO et al. 1984;
DEANS et al. 1995) and needles (TINUS 1996). There is
a difference in medium in which the samples are placed
during autoclaving (SARVAŠ 1998, 1999; MURRAY et al.
J. FOR. SCI., 47, 2001 (7): 301–306 301