Fig. 1

External sulfate availability is required for optimal plant growth. a Representative images of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Moneymaker) grown under full nutrient or S-limiting conditions for 4 weeks. Biomass accumulation is reduced by sulfate deficiency from 3 weeks after sowing. Fresh weight for leaves (b) and roots (c) were measured from 2 to 4 weeks after sowing. Sulfate content of leaves (d) and roots (e) were determined from 2 to 4 weeks after sowing using the turbidimetric method [27]. Values plotted correspond to the means of three independent experiments ± the standard error of the mean. Means with different letters indicate significant differences (P < 0.05 two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test). 3–5 different plants were measured for each experimental replicate