Abstract
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia) plants as chilling root temperature-sensitive and - resistant species, respectively, were grown under low root temperature. Calcium localisation in the root cells, in-gel kinase activities and water transport were investigated. Figleaf gourd root cells acquired more calcium when root temperature was lowered. In-gel kinase assays revealed that there is essentially no difference between the two species in terms of signal transduction in response to low root temperature. However, the response of water channels after the application of mercury was different, implying that the ability of maintaining water balance would be important in cold acclimation.