Estimations of apoplastic concentrations of K+ and Ca2+ in the vicinity of stomatal guard cells

Abstract

A method which determines the null point for stomatal aperture has been used to estimate the apoplastic concentrations of potassium and calcium adjacent to the stomatal guard cells of Commelina communis. These two ions are contributors to important aspects of stomatal physiology : the determination of guard cell turgor (K+) and intracellular signalling (Ca2+) when the guard cells respond to the various stimuli that effect changes in stomatal aperture. We obtained estimates of apoplastic K+ concentrations in the range of 50-75 mol m-3, which are in general agreement with those of Bowling (1987). Ca2+ concentrations appear to be in the region of 0·05 mol m-3 adjacent to the guard cells even though much higher concentrations (up to 4 mol m-3) may be delivered to the leaf in the xylem sap. Thus it is suggested that the gradient in apoplastic Ca2+ may be very large over short distances, and may be strictly controlled by cells within the epidermis.