Evidence that sulfur deficiency enhances molybdenum transport in xylem sap of tomato plants

The findings of an experiment using serially harvested young tomato plants grown in water culture are reported, showing the dramatic influence of sulfur status of the nutrient medium on transport of molybdenum in xylem sap. On average for the five harvests taken over a 14 d growth period, the molybdenum (Mo) concentration in the sap was approximately 11 times greater in the absence of sulfate in the nutrient medium. Restoring sulfate to the nutrient medium without sulfur (S) on day four of the experiment depressed the Mo concentration of the sap at the next harvest (taken three days later) to a value similar to that in plants receiving sulfate from the onset of the growth period and, similarly, raised the S concentration as well. Rates of transport of Mo as measured by root pressure exudates were slightly less spectacular, as S deficiency depressed the rate of exudation. The results support the concept that sulfate and molybdate compete for the same carrier and transport sites in uptake, and that sulfate deficiency leads to excess Mo uptake. The findings are of little consequence for plant cultivation, as plants are tolerant to elevated Mo concentrations, but are relevant to animal nutrition--particularly that of ruminants, which are susceptible to excess Mo and Mo-induced copper (Cu) deficiency.