RESPIRATION AND ORGANIC ACID METABOLISM IN POTASSIUM DEFICIENT RICE PLANT

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Abstract
Rice seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions containing 5, 10, and 100 ppm of potassium (as K2O) for about one month. Respiratory rate and mineral, organic acid and amino acid contents of the leaves of those seedlings were determined. At an earlier stage of growth, potassium deficiency induced a marked increase in respiration. The amounts of cellular constituents were variable dependent on extent of potassium deficiency as well as age of the plant. The relationship between the respiration and organic and amino acid contents was discussed in terms of metabolic activities for these compounds. Acetic and succinic acid contents in the leaves of the lowest supply of potassium (K5 leaves) were smaller than those of the other leaves (K10 and K100 leaves) at the earlier step of growth. The highest rate of respiration was observed in K5 leaves. The distinctive changes were observed in glutamine and asparagine contents by potassium treatment.