Absorption of Iron by Enzymically Isolated Leaf Cells

Iron uptake was studied using cells enzymically isolated from green tobacco leaves. Absorption was increased both by light and succinate as probable energy sources. Bicarbonate in the incubation mixture was inhibitory, and citrate also reduced absorption presumably by chelation with the metal. Absorption of iron was temperature sensitive and optimal at 25°C. Temperature coefficients and activation energies suggested that absorption was energy mediated. NaN₃ and DNP inhibited uptake at concentrations of 10-³M and 10^?4M, respectively. The inhibition caused by DNP was not negated by an external supply of ATP. The results suggest that iron absorption is an active metabolic process in cells enzymically isolated from green tobacco leaves. Cells from Fe-chlorotic leaves of PI 54619–5–1 soybean absorbed less iron than those derived from healthy leaves of the same variety, while leaf cells from the variety Hawkeye showed no such differences.     

Interactive effects of salinity and phosphorus nutrition of the concentrations of phosphate and phosphate esters in mature photosynthesizing corn leaves

The effects of salinity on corn plants (Zea mays L.) are influenced by the concentration of nutrient orthophosphate. Salinity (-2 bars each of NaCl and CaCl(2)) was more injurious in combination with a high concentration of orthophosphate (2 mm) (that gave optimum yields in the absence of salinity) than it was with a lower concentration (0.1 mm). With 2 mm orthophosphate, salinity seemed to damage the plant mechanisms that normally regulate the internal concentration of orthophosphate resulting in excessive accumulation and P toxicity. On the other hand, with 0.1 mm orthophosphate, salinity decreased orthophosphate concentration in mature leaves. This effect was paralleled by decreases in the concentration of adenosine 5'-triphosphate and in the energy charge of the adenylate system, indicating an orthophosphate deficit. Even so, plants survived salinity better under these conditions than in the presence of 2 mm orthophosphate. The data indicated that salinity affected the phosphorylated state of the adenine nucleotides only indirectly through its effect on the concentration of orthophosphate in the cells.Salinity, especially in the presence of 2 mm orthophosphate, resulted in an increase in the concentrations of sugar phosphates in mature photosynthesizing leaves, suggesting that translocation rather than photosynthesis was a limiting process. Decreased translocation could be a secondary effect of decreased growth. However, a decreased translocation rate could cause decreased growth by limiting the supply of essential metabolites reaching growing tissues.     

The effect of phosphorus deficiency on nutrient uptake,nitrogen fixation and photosynthetic rate in mashbean,mungbean and soybean

Phosphorous (P) fertilization is the major mineral nutrient yield determinant among legume crops. However, legume crops vary widely in the ability to take up and use P during deficiency. The aim here was to compare P uptake and translocation, biological nitrogen fixing ability and photosynthetic rate among mashbean (Vigna aconitifolia cv. ‘Mash-88’), mungbean (Vigna radiata cv. ‘Moong-6601’) and soybean (Glycine max L. cv. ‘Tamahomare’) during deficiency in hydroponics. Two treatments, the withdrawal of P from the solution (P-deprivation) and continued P at 160 μM (P sufficient) were effected at the pod initiation stage. Plants were grown for 20 days. Short-term labeling with ³²P showed the uptake and distribution of P into plant parts. Withdrawal of P from the solution reduced biomass, photosynthetic activity, and nitrogen fixing ability in mungbean, and mashbean more than in soybean. P deprivation decreased P accumulation more than N accumulation. The decrease was more severe in mungbean and mashbean than soybean. More P was translocated and distributed into leaves in soybean than in mungbean and mashbean. Leaf P amount was more correlated to leaf area than to photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area among all three legume species. The results indicate that selection for increased efficiency of P utilization and leaf area may be used to improve leguminous crops.     

Hydrolysis of organic phosphates by corn and soybean roots

Because of the importance of organic phosphates as sources of P for plants, this work was performed to study the hydrolysis of nine organic phosphates by sterile, intact corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) roots. Results showed that the rates of hydrolysis ofp-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNP) in buffered solutions by roots of three varieties of corn and three varieties of soybean ranged from 13 to 22 μmol PO₄−P g⁻¹ root h⁻¹ and from 2.1 to 2.2 μmol PO₄−P 0.1 g⁻¹ root h⁻¹, respectively. The average rate of hydrolysis of PNP in nonbuffered solutions was 2- to 3-fold lower for corn roots and 6- to 10-fold lower for soybean roots as compared with those obtained with buffered solutions. The orthophosphate released from hydrolysis of organic P compounds in buffered solutions during a 48-h incubation of corn roots showed that the maximum rate of hydrolysis of PNP was 4 to 6 times greater than the commonly used substrates: α- and β-glycerophosphates, phenolphthalein diphosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate. The rates of hydrolysis of glucose-6-phosphate and glucose-1-phosphate were similar and about 6- to 12-fold lower than that of PNP. Phosphoethanolamine and phosphocholine were hydrolyzed slightly, ando-carboxyphenyl phosphate was not hydrolyzed. The rates of hydrolysis of organic P compounds in nonbuffered solutions by corn and soybean roots were 1 to 3 and 1 to 10 times lower than those in buffered solutions, respectively. The trends in rates of hydrolysis by soybean roots of buffered organic P substrates were similar to those observed with corn roots, with the exception of glucose-1-phosphate and phosphoethanolamine.     

The influence of phosphorus,zinc and manganese on absorption and translocation of iron in watercress

Summary Absorption and translocation of iron by intact watercress plants (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L) Hayek) was studied in short period uptake experiments utilising ⁵⁹Fe labelled ferric chloride. Total translocation of iron was inhibited by increasing levels of phosphorus, zinc and manganese in the nutrient medium; the elevated phosphorus and zinc concentrations enhanced iron absorption into roots, but increased retention of absorbed iron in translocating portions of the plant. High levels of manganese in the medium reduced the initial absorption of iron into the root system.     

Absorption,translocation, and metabolism of 14C-thifensulfuron in soybean (Glycine max), spurred anoda (Anoda cristata), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

The absorption, translocation, and metabolism of thifensulfuron-methyl {methyl 3-[[[[(4-methoxy)-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-amino]-carbonyl] amino]sulfonyl]-2-thiophenecarboxylate} were investigated in tolerant Essex soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], moderately tolerant Vance soybean, and spurred anoda [Anoda cristata (L.) Schlecht.], and susceptible velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.). Radiolabeled (thiophene-2-¹⁴C) thifensulfuron-methyl was absorbed readily by young seedlings of all species following a foliar spray with the herbicide. Spot-applied ¹⁴C-thifensulfuron-methyl was absorbed by the treated leaf of all species. Absorption of thifensulfuron-methyl was limited when excised stems of all species were dipped into the herbicide solution for 2 h. Translocation of absorbed thifensulfuron-methyl to other plant parts was limited in all species, regardless of the method of its application. Root exudation of leaf-applied thifensulfuron-methyl was observed in all species and it was higher in seedlings of spurred anoda and velvetleaf. The two soybean cultivars metabolized 62–70% of absorbed thifensulfuron-methyl at 3 days after treatment with spot-applied ¹⁴C-thifensulfuron. Velvetleaf and tolerant spurred anoda metabolized about 50% of the absorbed herbicide. The major metabolite formed in all species appeared to be deesterified thifensulfuron acid. Differential metabolism seems to be a contributing factor in the selectivity of thifensulfuron-methyl between the two soybean cultivars and velvetleaf. The metabolic basis for the moderate tolerance of spurred anoda to thifensulfuron-methyl is not understood at the present time.Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science Department, Contribution no. 628.     

大豆柑桔间作系统中磷的分配和迁移规律研究

用微区试验和^32P同位素示踪技术,比较研究了大豆、柑桔间作和单作条件下,P在大豆和柑桔体中的分配、转移及其在土壤中的迁移规律．结果表明,间作大豆的吸P量和各部位累积P量显著地低于单作大豆;^32P肥料浅施,间作大豆吸收的^32P量显著低于单作大豆;^32P肥料深施,间作大豆吸收的^32P量显著高于单作大豆,但间作不影响P和^32P在各部位的转移和分配．间作柑桔吸收的^32P量显著低于单作柑桔．柑桔新吸收的^32P可快速向地上部分输送,并优先供应生长活跃部位．间作不影响^32P在柑桔各部位的转移和分配．但是P肥深施使柑桔吸收的^32P向地上部分和生长活跃部位的转移速率减慢．间作使土壤中P的生物移动性增强,可促进土壤深层P向土壤浅层迁移．试验结果表明,大豆柑桔间作磷肥的施用深度以保持在20cm以内为佳．     

Root competition for phosphorus between the tree and herbaceous components of silvopastoral systems in Kerala, India

Root competition in polyculture systems involving combinations of four tree species and four grass species was evaluated based on ³²P recovery by each species in mixed and sole crop situations. The tree species were: Leucaena leucocephala, Casuarina equisetifolia, Acacia auriculiformis and Ailanthus triphysa, and the grass species were: Pennisetum purpureum (hybrid napier), Brachiaria ruziziensis (congo signal), Panicum maximum (guinea grass) and Zea mexicana (teosinte). Four lateral distance (25 and 50 cm) and depth (15 and 50 cm) treatments were included in the study to characterize the relative fine root distribution of trees. Absorption of ³²P was monitored through radioassay of leaves. Regardless of the species, ³²P uptake from 50 cm soil depth was lower than that of 15 cm depth. Absorption of ³²P from 50 cm lateral distance was also less than that of 25 cm distance in Acacia and Casuarina. Grass species in sole crop situations absorbed more ³²P than in mixed systems. None of the grass species when grown in association with tree components affected the absorption of ³²P by trees. All grass species exerted a complementary effect on ³²P absorption by Casuarina. Leucaena also benefited in the same way when grown in association with congo signal and/or teosinte. Of the tree species, Acacia and Leucaena adversely affected the ³²P uptake by grass species.     

Influence of Ca,pH and humic acid on Cd uptake

Summary Solution culture experiments were conducted to examine the effect of naturally occurring compounents of soil solutions such as Ca-ion, H-ion and organic acids on the Cd uptake of corn and snap beans. An increase in the Ca-ion concentration of solution cultures depressed the translocation of Cd from roots to tops of snap beans and corn but had no apparent deffect on the absorption of Cd by roots. Suppression of Cd translation by Ca was less marked for the corn than for the beans. No change in Cd absorption or translocation in corn was noted for solution pH values ranging from 4 to 7. Addition of humic acid to the solution decreased the Cd activity in soolution and the subsequent absorption of Cd by corn roots, indicating that Cd-ion activity in solution directly affectes Cd uptake. The addition of humic acid had no effect on Cd translation in corn plants.     

Phosphorus absorption and utilization efficiency of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp.) in relation to dry matter production and dinitrogen fixation

The effect of P supply on absorption and utilization efficiency of P in relation to dry matter production and dinitrogen fixation was examined in 8 pigeon pea cultivars with different growth duration and a soybean cultivar under field conditions. In all the pigeon pea cultivars, the maximum whole plant dry weight was obtained in a P-deficient soil at 100 kg P ha⁻¹ application. The short duration cultivars had smaller whole plant dry weights at low P rates (5 and 25 kg P ha⁻¹) and poor response to P application compared with the medium and long duration cultivars. Increasing the P application rate significantly increased dinitrogen fixation in all the cultivars. At the low P rates, the total nodule activity (TNA) was lower in the short than in the medium and the long duration cultivars. However, at 200 kg P ha⁻¹ application, dinitrogen fixation did not vary among these cultivars except for one short duration cultivar whichregistered very low values. Dry matter production and dinitrogen fixation are strongly controlled by P absorption ability rather than P utilization efficiency. The low absorption ability of the short duration cultivars is mainly due to poor root development. The high P concentrations in the nodules of all the cultivars suggest that nodules have advantage over host plant interms of P distribution under P deficient conditions. Our results suggest that P plays an important role in dinitrogen fixation through an effective translocation of P to the leaf. Thus when P supply is limited, efficient cultivars obtained reasonably high yield through an effective translocation of the absorbed P to the leaf.     

Aspects of the Fe and Mn nutrition of rice plants

Summary In three water-culture experiments, the effects of variations in pH, N form, and Si- and P level on the uptake and translocation of Fe and Mn, and on the chlorophyll contents of lowland rice were examined.It was found that Mn uptake increased with increasing pH, that it was not affected by variations in N form (NO₃ or NH₄), and that Si has a suppressive effect on Mn uptake. With increasing pH, the translocation of Fe to the shoots was reduced. This pH effect might be indirect, in that Fe translocation is hampered by excessive Mn uptake induced by high pH. Variations in N form and in Si level did not influence Fe uptake and- translocation.A combination of high P-and high Mn levels in solution proved to reduce the translocation of Fe to the rice shoots. Precipitation of Mn phosphate on the roots is likely to occur at high concentrations of both Mn and P in the root medium.A negative correlation was found between chlorophyll content and Mn content of the leaves. The chlorophyll content was not related to the iron content of the leaves. It is likely that chlorosis of rice leaves in an early growth stage can be caused by several combinations of the following factors: 1. high Mn supply, 2. NO₃ nutrition inducing an increase in solution pH favouring a further increase in Mn uptake, 3. absence of Si which exerts a suppressive effect on Mn uptake, and 4. high P supply. These factors can induce chlorosis, with and without exerting a concomitant influence on the uptake and translocation of Fe.     

Absorption,translocation, and metabolism of14C-clomazone in soybean (Glycine max) and threeAmaranthus weed species

The patterns of clomazone (2-[(2-chlorophenyl) methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone) absorption, translocation, and metabolism and their contribution to the plant selectivity of this herbicide were studied in tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] andAmaranthus hybridus and in susceptibleA. retroflexus andA. lividus. Differential root absorption appeared to play a significant role in the differential response of these four plant species to clomazone. Absorption of root-applied¹⁴C-clomazone was greater by the two sensitiveAmaranthus weeds than by the tolerant soybean andA. hybri-dus. Following application of¹⁴C-clomazone to roots, most of the absorbed radioactivity was translocated to the leaves of all four species. Approximately 50% of the absorbed¹⁴C-clomazone was metabolized by all four plant species as early as 12 h after treatment. Thin layer Chromatographic (TLC) analysis of plant tissue extracts from all four species revealed the formation of two major metabolites of clomazone. These unidentified metabolites had Rf values of 0.4 and 0.8, respectively, in a butanol∶acetic acid∶water (12∶3∶5, vol/vol/vol) developing system. The Rf value of unaltered clomazone in this system was 0.95. Differential metabolism or differential rate of metabolism of clomazone was not observed in this study and did not seem to account for the tolerance of soybean andA. hybridus or the suceptibility ofA. retroflexus andA. lividus to this herbicide.     

大豆柑桔间作系统中磷的分配和迁移规律研究

用微区试验和³²P同位素示踪技术,比较研究了大豆、柑桔间作和单作条件下,P在大豆和柑桔体中的分配、转移及其在土壤中的迁移规律.结果表明,间作大豆的吸P量和各部位累积P量显著地低于单作大豆;³²P肥料浅施,间作大豆吸收的³²P量显著低于单作大豆;³²P肥料深施,间作大豆吸收的³²P量显著高于单作大豆,但间作不影响P和³²P在各部位的转移和分配.间作柑桔吸收的³²P量显著低于单作柑桔.柑桔新吸收的³²P可快速向地上部分输送,并优先供应生长活跃部位.间作不影响³²P在柑桔各部位的转移和分配,但是P肥深施使柑桔吸收的³²P向地上部分和生长活跃部位的转移速率减慢.间作使土壤中P的生物移动性增强,可促进土壤深层P向土壤浅层迁移.试验结果表明,大豆柑桔间作磷肥的施用深度以保持在20cm以内为佳.     

Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of14C-clomazone in soybean (Glycine max) and threeAmaranthus weed species

The patterns of clomazone (2-[(2-chlorophenyl) methyl-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone) absorption, translocation, and metabolism and their contribution to the plant selectivity of this herbicide were studied in tolerant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] andAmaranthus hybridus and in susceptibleA. retroflexus andA. lividus. Differential root absorption appeared to play a significant role in the differential response of these four plant species to clomazone. Absorption of root-applied¹⁴C-clomazone was greater by the two sensitiveAmaranthus weeds than by the tolerant soybean andA. hybri-dus. Following application of¹⁴C-clomazone to roots, most of the absorbed radioactivity was translocated to the leaves of all four species. Approximately 50% of the absorbed¹⁴C-clomazone was metabolized by all four plant species as early as 12 h after treatment. Thin layer Chromatographic (TLC) analysis of plant tissue extracts from all four species revealed the formation of two major metabolites of clomazone. These unidentified metabolites had Rf values of 0.4 and 0.8, respectively, in a butanolacetic acidwater (1235, vol/vol/vol) developing system. The Rf value of unaltered clomazone in this system was 0.95. Differential metabolism or differential rate of metabolism of clomazone was not observed in this study and did not seem to account for the tolerance of soybean andA. hybridus or the suceptibility ofA. retroflexus andA. lividus to this herbicide.Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science Department, Contribution No. 600.     

Effect of nickel deficiency in soybeans on the phytotoxicity of foliar-applied urea

The leaf-tip necrosis commonly observed after foliar fertilization of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants with urea is usually attributed to ammonia formed through hydrolysis of urea by plant urease. We recently found, however, that although addition of a urease inhibitor (phenylphosphorodiamidate) to foliar-applied urea increased the urea content and decreased the ammonia content and urease activity of soybean leaves, it increased the leaf-tip necrosis observed after foliar fertilization. We concluded that this necrosis was due to accumulation of toxic amounts of urea rather than formation of toxic amounts of ammonia. To confirm this conclusion, we measured the urea content, urease activity, and leaf-tep necrosis of leaves of soybean plants treated with urea after growth of the plants in nutrient solutions containing different amounts of nickel (Ni), which is an essential component of urease. We found that the urease activity of these leaves decreased, and that their urea content and leaf-tip necrosis increased, with decrease in the Ni content of the nutrient solution. Besides supporting the conclusion that the leaf-tip necrosis observed after foliar fertilization of soybean with urea is due to accumulation of toxic amounts of urea in the soybean leaves, these observations indicate that Ni-deficient plants may have a lower urease activity than plants that are not deficient in Ni and may therefore be more susceptible to leaf burn when foliar-fertilized with urea.     

Mannose metabolism in corn and its impact on leaf metabolites, photosynthetic gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence

When intact corn leaves were provided millimolar concentrations of d-mannose through the transpiration stream photosynthesis was inhibited; 5.7 millimolar resulted in a 50% inhibition of the carbon exchange rate. This inhibition was partially reversible by the addition of orthophosphate to the feeding solution. Mannose metabolism by corn leaves was limited in that it did not act as a resource for sucrose or starch synthesis. Mannose 6-phosphate accumulated in the leaf tissues and was slowly metabolized by a pathway involving mannose 1-phosphate. Correlated with the mannose-6-phosphate accumulation were decreases in ATP, orthophosphate, sucrose, and phosphoenolpyruvate and increases in starch and maltose. When provided in the transpiration stream mannose had access to both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. Mannose feeding led to oscillations in steady state chlorophyll fluorescence emission (680 nanometers) and an elimination of the Kautsky effect during fluorescence induction. Pyridoxal 5-phosphate and 2,4-dinitrophenol were found to be inhibitors of CO₂ exchange when provided in the transpiration stream of intact corn leaves. However, Pyridoxal 5-phosphate induced a quenching of steady state fluorescence while 2,4-dinitrophenol led to an increase in fluorescence emission.     

Relative uptake of32P by cassava,banana, elephant foot yam and groundnut in intercropping systems

Absorption of applied³²P by the treated as well as neighbouring plants in two- and three-crop intercropping systems involving cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), banana (Musa (AAB) Mysore), elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus Blume) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was studied in field trials. Radiophosphorus applied to the root zone of one of the component species in the mixed systems was found to be absorbed not only by the treated plant but also by the neighbouring plants. Banana was the most dominant species in the cassava-banana-elephant foot yam intercropping system and accumulated the major portion of the radioactivity recovered in the whole system. Cassava planted on raised mounds absorbed³²P from the root zones of elephant foot yam and banana growing in the interspaces. Absorption of³²P from cassava mounds by elephant foot yam was negligible.In cassava-groundnut intercropping system, cassava was the dominant component accumulating about 96 to 99 per cent of the total³²P recovery in the system when the radiolabel was applied to cassava and about 48 to 88 per cent when applied to the intercrops depending on whether cassava was planted on paired row-ridge, mound or flat bed. The groundnut was able to absorb only negligible quantity of³²P from cassava root zone. The absorption of³²P by treated groundnut was highest in paired-row ridge method of planting and lowest in flat bed method of planting.     

Regulation of the formation of acid phosphatases by inorganic phosphate in Aspergillus ficuum

Two types of extracellular acid phosphatases are synthesized by Aspergillus ficuum NRRL 3135: a nonspecific orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.2) with an optimum pH of 2.0, and an enzyme with restricted specificity, a mesoinositol-hexaphosphate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.8; phytase) with an optimum pH of 5.5. Although the pH 5.5 enzyme is termed a phytase, both enzymes hydrolyze phytin. Synthesis of the enzymes is repressed by high orthophosphate concentrations in the fermentation medium. The highest total level for each enzyme is synthesized in low orthophosphate medium. In high orthophosphate medium, more pH 5.5 enzyme is produced than pH 2.0 enzyme. In low orthophosphate medium, more pH 5.5 enzyme is produced than pH 2.0 enzyme during the early stages of growth, but the reverse occurs after 5 days. The enzymes are differentiated by heat denaturation at acid and alkaline pH levels. They are separated into two distinct fractions on Sephadex G-100 followed by carboxymethylcellulose column chromatography. This indicates that the two enzymes are structurally different. The K(m) for both enzymes is 1.25 mm when calcium phytate is the substrate. Orthophosphate competitively inhibits the pH 2.0 (K(i) = 1.1 x 10(-2)m) but not the pH 5.5 phosphatase. Neither enzyme is denatured by 50% (w/v) urea or inhibited by 0.01 m tartrate. Thus, they differ from human prostatic phosphatase.     

冬枣对不同形态氮素的吸收与利用

以2年生盆栽鲁北冬枣为试材,研究了其对尿素、甘氨酸（Gly）和谷氨酸（Glu）的吸收利用与响应特性．结果表明：3种形态氮均可被冬枣吸收利用,与尿素相比,氨基酸态氮吸收的量较少．若尿素的吸收量以100％计,则叶片对Gly和Glu的相对吸收量分别为28．88％和11．73％,吸收到的氮素主要分配到叶片和枣头枝中;而根对Gly和Glu的相对吸收量则分别为50．48％和42．72％．冬枣吸收尿素、Gly和Glu后,叶片中的谷草转氨酶（GOT）和谷丙转氨酶（GPT）活性提高,可溶性蛋白质含量增加;但不同形态氮素处理对硝酸还原酶（NR）活性的影响存在差异,尿素可显著提高NR活性,Glu对NR活性影响不大,Gly降低了NR活性．与尿素相比,氨基酸态氮能明显提高冬枣果实的着色个数、着色面积以及果实中可溶性固形物含量．     

Intraspecific variations of phosphorus absorption and remobilization, P forms, and their internal buffering in Brassica cultivars exposed to a P-stressed environment

Translocation of absorbed phosphorus (P) from metabolically inactive sites to active sites in plants growing under P deprivation may increase its P utilization efficiency (PUE). Acclimation to phosphate (Pi) starvation may be caused by a differential storage pool of vacuolar P, its release, and the intensity of re-translocation of absorbed P as P starvation inducible environmental cues (PSIEC) from ambient environment. Biomass assay and three P forms, namely inorganic (Pi),organic (Po), and acid-soluble total (Ptas) were estimated in Brassica cultivars exposed to 10 d P deprivation in the culture media. Considering that -δPi/δt denotes the rate of Pi release, Pi release velocity (RSPi) was determined as the tangent to the equations obtained for Pi f(t) at the mean point in the period of greatest Pi decrease, whereas the inverse of the RSPi was art estimate of the internal Pi buffering capacity (IBCPi). Inter cultivar variations in size of the non-metabolic Pi pool,RSPi, re-translocation of Pi from less to more active metabolic sites, and preferential Pi source and sink compartments were evaluated under P starvation. The cultivar 'Brown Raya' showed the highest Pi storage ability under adequate external P supply, and a more intensive release than 'Rain Bow' and 'Dunkled' under P stress. Cultivar 'B.S.A' was inferior to 'Con-1'in its ability to store and use Pi. Roots and upper leaves were the main sink of Pi stored in the lower and middle leaves of all cultivars and showed lower IBCPi and larger RSPi values than lower and middle leaves. In another trial, six cultivars were exposed to P-free nutrition for 29 d after initial feeding on optimum nutrition for 15 d. With variable magnitude, all of the cultivars re-translocated P from the above ground parts to their roots under P starvation, and [P] at 44 d after transplanting was higher in developing leaves compared with developed leaves. Under P deprivation, translocation of absorbed P from metabolically inactive to active sites may have helped the tolerant cultivars to establish a better rooting system, which provided a basis for tolerance against P starvation and increased PUE. A better understanding of the extent to which changes in the flux of P absorption and re-translocation under PSlEC will help to scavenge Pi from bound P reserves and will bring more sparingly soluble P into cropping systems and obtain capitalization of P reserves.