Xylem sap extraction from citrus seedlings using a modified pressure chamber method

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Abstract
A modified apparatus is described, based on the Scholander pressure chamber principle, for the collection of xylem sap from roots of detopped citrus seedlings. Xylem sap was extracted for 2 h at 3-bar pressure with roots in nutrient solution. Without these conditions, the flow of sap exudate and its K and Ca concentrations were disturbed. When these conditions were applied on 8 citrus rootstocks differences occurred in K and Ca sap concentrations and between resistant and susceptible cultivars, similar to differences usually observed between calcicole and calcifuge plants. These results encourage the use of this method in plant nutrition studies.