Root and Root Hair Growth of Oats: Replaceability of Calcium

The study investigated the effects of calcium, magnesium, and potassium deficiencies on oat seedlings, as well as the potential of strontium to replace calcium. It was found that the absence of magnesium or potassium did not affect root elongation when calcium was present. Calcium nitrate supported some root growth, but other single-salt solutions did not. Replacing calcium with strontium significantly reduced primary root growth and cell elongation, although no other morphological changes typical of calcium deficiency were observed. Root hair elongation was unaffected by magnesium or potassium exclusion but was reduced and deformed by calcium deficiency. Only calcium nitrate supported normal root hair growth, while strontium substitution reduced root hair formation and elongation. Strontium could mitigate toxic effects of other ions but could not fully replace calcium for root and root hair growth in oats.