The relationship between Zn and P in the Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl was investigated using hydroponic culture. Total concentrations of Zn in the shoots increased from 0·2 to 27 g kg–1 dry mass when solution Zn increased from 1 to 1000 mmol m–3. Water-soluble Zn accounted for > 80% of the total Zn in the shoots containing > 5 g Zn kg–1 dry mass. Total P was maintained at about 3 g kg–1 dry mass in the shoots containing < 20 g Zn kg–1 dry mass, but significantly decreased with higher Zn concentrations. Linear regression between insoluble P and insoluble Zn in the shoots produced a small slope, suggesting that co-precipitation of Zn and P was not an important detoxification mechanism in the shoots. In contrast, there was a strong correlation between insoluble P and insoluble Zn in the roots, with a linear slope of 0·3 — close to the P:Zn ratio in Zn3(PO4)2. Foliar sprays of phosphate did not affect shoot dry mass significantly, but decreased root length and root dry mass significantly at Zn concentrations in solution from 10 to 3000 mmol m–3. Foliar P was translocated to roots to enhance co-precipitation of Zn and P, although this did not enhance Zn tolerance. The results suggest that T.caerulescens possesses mechanisms which allow it to accumulate and sequester huge amounts of Zn in the shoots without causing P deficiency.
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