Using electrolyte leakage tests to determine lifting windows and detect tissue damage

Abstract

Physiological testing is rapidly coming into use as a means to determine the condition of nursery stock and predict how it will respond to treatment or use. One such test, the electrolyte leakage test, can be used to measure cold hardiness and detect tissue damage. The principle of this test is that when cell membranes are damaged, electrolytes leak out into the water in which the tissue is immersed and can be measured by the conductivity of the solution. The test for damage is nonspecific in that anything that damages the membranes, such as cold, heat, disease, or mechanical injury, will cause electrolyte leakage. In the case of cold hardiness measurement, we know the damagmg agent because we freeze the tissue.

Parent Publication

• National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001

Citation

Tinus, Richard W. 2002. Using electrolyte leakage tests to determine lifting windows and detect tissue damage. In: Dumroese, R. K.; Riley, L. E.; Landis, T. D., technical coordinators. National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001. Proceedings RMRS-P-24. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 12-14