EFFECTS OF CALCIUM-ION CONCENTRATION ON CELL-WALL SYNTHESIS

Cuttings of 6-week-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were placed in liquid media containing various concentrations of Ca2+. Cytoplasmic concentrations of Ca2+ were manipulated using the ionophore A 23 187. The effects of Ca2+ concentrations on the deposition of total cell wall material as well as on the deposition of cellulose, lignin, and non-cellulosic polysaccharides in the hypocotyls were investigated. At low concentrations of Ca2+ wall deposition was reduced, mainly as a result of the inhibition of lignin and non-cellulosic polysaccharide deposition. High concentrations of Ca2+ stimulated non-cellulosic polysaccharide and lignin deposition, whereas cellulose deposition was almost totally inhibited. © 1990 Oxford University Press.