
%0 Journal Article
%A Johnston, M 
%A Grof, CPL 
%A Brownell, PF 
%T Effect of Sodium Nutrition on Chlorophyll <I>a/b</I> Ratios in C<sub>4</sub> Plants
%J Functional Plant Biology
%D 1984/08/01
%V 11
%N 4
%P 325-332
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/PP9840325
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/PP9840325 
%X Methods for the determination of chlorophyll were compared in Amaranthus tricolor, Kochia childsii and Chloris gayana. From sequential extraction data, 96% ethanol appeared to be more efficient than 80% acetone in extracting chlorophyll from these plants.    The chlorophyll a/b ratio was significantly lower in sodium-deficient compared to normal C4 plants. Of the group I elements, only sodium, irrespective of the salt supplied to deficient cultures, restored the chlorophyll a/b ratios to the value observed in normal plants. The concentration of sodium required to increase the chlorophyll a/b ratio in leaves of sodium-deficient plants was similar to that required to bring about the growth responses. The increase of the chlorophyll a/b ratio occurred at an early stage during recovery from sodium deficiency preceding the increase in chlorophyll concentration and the growth response. It is therefore likely that the low chlorophyll a/b ratio may be intrinsically associated with the condition of sodium deficiency. 
