A Quantitative Study of Shoot Development in Vicia faba: II. The Elongation of Internode and Petiole

The elongation of the internodes and petioles of Vicia fabahas been studied in the plumules of normal seedlings, in seedlingsfrom which part or all of the cotyledonary reserve has beenremoved, and in axillary shoots developed on seedlings of variousages. The curves obtained by plotting the lengths of the internodesagainst their plastochrone ages reveal constant differencesin behaviour between plumules and axillary branches. As thegrowth of any shoot progresses a greater contribution to thetotal elongation rate cornea to be made by the internodes fartherremoved from the apex. The length of each internode depends throughout its developmenton its position in the stem as well as on the length of theinternode below. The extent to which the elongation of an internodelags behind that of the one below increases upwards, a relationshipsimilar to that previously shown to exist in respect of thevascularization of the internodes. In plumules the length of petiole corresponding to any givenlength of internode undergoes a decrease followed by an increaseas the plumule is traversed from base to apex, a relationshipexactly oppsite to that previously demonstrated between thevascularization of a leaf-trace bundle and that of the internodein which it runs. The effects of age and of removal of cotyledonary reserves aredescribed, and it is concluded that it is unlikely that thecharacteristic difference in internode length within the limitsof a single shoot are wholly due to changes in the availabiltyof reserve substances.     

Gravimorphism in Trees: 1. Effects of Gravity on Growth and Apical Dominance in Fruit Trees

The effect of shoot-orientation on the vegetative growth andapical dominance of rootstocks of apply, cherry, plum, and blackcurrantwas investigated. In all the species studied the total annualextension growth of horizontally grown trees was markedly lessthan that of vertical trees, and the effect was accentuatedwhen the plants were rotated. In cherry and plum the reducedtotal growth was due both to a smaller number of internodesand also to reduced internode length; in apple and blackcurrantthe difference in extension growth was mainly due to differencesin internode length. In experiments with laternal shots trainedin various positions it was found that the apical dominancenormally exhibited by the uppermost shoot is only manifestedwhen it occupies a vertical position. The normal apical dominancerelationships can be reversed if the uppermost shoot is grownhorizontally and the second shoot vertically. Gravitationaleffects appear to play a role in the normal apical dominancerelationships of the tree. In all species there is a markedtendency for laterals to grow out on the upper side of horizontaland arched plants. The effects of training arched trees into various positionsare considered in relation to current concepts regarding therole of auxin in apical dominance and the redistribution ofauxin in horizontal organs; it is concluded that the outgrowthof laterals in arched shoots cannot be interpreted primarilyin terms of these current concepts. The observed results suggestthat the outgrowth of lateral buds occurs at the nearest pointto the roots at which the shoot is diverted from the verticalposition, and that nutrients are diverted to the highest upwardlydirected meristem. It is proposed that the term gravimorphismshould be applied to these diverse effects of gravity on plantgrowth.     

Gibberellins in Diffusates from Shoots of Apple Trees

Excised shoot apices, leaves and internodes from shoots of apple trees (Malus×domestica) give off gibberellins by diffusion on agar. A methanol extract of the agar was prepared, the extract separated on thin layer plates, and the gibberellin activity estimated by means of Rumex and lettuce hypocotyl bioassays. The largest amounts of gibberellin are found in diffusates from the shoot apex, the two upper leaves and the two upper internodes. Several promotive fractions are found on the chromatograms as well as growth inhibitors. Removal of young leaves retards elongation of the internodes. Probably gibberellins produced in young leaves exercise some control over this process. The growth regulators Alar and CCC also retard internode elongation. Diffusates from shoots treated with these substances were also examined. Preliminary results suggest that the amount of diffusible gibberellins from treated shoots is not reduced.     

Are xylem radial development and hydraulic conductivity in downwardly-growing grapevine shoots influenced by perturbed auxin metabolism?

Downwardly-growing grapevine shoots have smaller and more frequent vessels than upwardly-growing ones and, as a consequence, a lower hydraulic conductivity. Here, grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) shoot growth orientation was manipulated to test whether downward shoot orientation negatively affects vessel growth in the apex via a shortage of water and nutrients. The orientation of the central vine shoot portion was inverted by two consecutive 135 degrees bends, resulting in double-bent N-shaped vines; the central downward shoot portion was of different lengths in the experimental treatments to induce increasing reductions of shoot conductivity. These treatments reduced shoot conductivity and water flow, but had no effects on vessel development and frequency in the apex. In a second experiment, auxin concentration was assessed in shoots of upwardly- and downwardly-growing plants. IAA concentration at the apical internodes was higher in downwardly-oriented shoots than in shoots growing upwards. In addition, a higher density and a lower vessel diameter were observed in the lower, than the upper side, of the downwardly-oriented shoot, suggesting increased accumulation of auxin in the lower side. These results suggest that the downward orientation induces accumulation of auxin in the apex, which in turn affects the density and the size of the xylem vessels, causing reduction of hydraulic conductivity.     

Shoot-tip abscission and adventitious abscission of internodes in mulberry (Morus alba)

In mulberry ( Morus alba L. cv. Shin-ichinose), shoot-tip abscission following the cessation of apical growth could be induced in different internodes, depending on the vigour of the shoot and its apex and other internal and external factors. In the lateral, short shoots of 1-year-old stems of low-pruned trees, the apical growth cessation and shoot-tip abscission (May–June) resulted primarily from the dominance of the upper, long shoots and intense competition among laterals along the stem. Decapitation of the laterals, before abortion of their apices took place (early May), readily caused adventitious abscission of the distal internode. Similar decapitation-induced, adventitious abscission of the distal internode of the upper, long shoots of 1-year-old stems of pruned trees also occurred (May–September), demonstrating that the abscission itself is not directly associated with photoperiod. In May and June, decapitation induced abscission primarily in parallel with or after sprouting of lateral buds and shoot elongation, while in July, August and September, the abscission was induced by decapitation and independently of sprouting. Shoot (stem) orientation positively affected the abscission, which is related to gravimorphic effects on buds and shoots on the lower and lateral sides of the horizontally trained stem. These results suggest that the vigour of shoots and apices is an important determinant of growth and apex abscission in mulberry.     

Intercellular Transport and Photosynthetic Differentiation in Chara corallina

Intercellular transport of ¹⁴C-labelled photoassimilates, bothin isolated upper shoots and in isolated internode-branchletcomplexes of Chara corallina, was measured. The isolated uppershoots were composed of a primary apex, two mature internodes,and three branchlet whorls. A 10 min loading of the isolatedupper shoot with H¹⁴CO₃^– resulted in a greater accumulationof ¹⁴C in the apical complex and branchlets than in the internodes,while a subsequent 50 min chase with unlabelled solution inthe light resulted in a greater accumulation of ¹⁴C in internodesthan in other parts of the shoot. In the isolated internode-branchlet complex, when the apex wasnot detached, the amount of ¹⁴C transported from branchletsto internodes was about fives times that transported from internodesto branchlets. Removal of the apex resulted in a decrease intransport from branchlets to internodes and an increase in transportin the opposite direction. In an attempt to explain the mechanism of the polar transportof photosynthetically fixed carbon between branchlets and internodes,photosynthetic activities of both types of cells were investigated.Detached branchlets have higher photosynthetic ¹⁴C-fixationactivities than those of internodes. Chlorophyll contents, measuredin terms of surface area, in internodes and branchlets werealmost identical. The ribulose-l,5-bisphosphate carboxylase(RuBPCase) activity of branchlets was 1.6 times that of internodes,and the rate of ferricyanide-dependent evolution of oxygen inbranchlets was 1.4 times that in internodes. Key words: Chara, internode, branchlet, polar transport, photosynthesis     

SHOOT GROWTH AND HISTOGENESIS OF TREES POSSESSING DIVERSE PATTERNS OF SHOOT DEVELOPMENT

Shoot growth and histogenesis were followed in five unrelated tree taxa possessing inherently diverse patterns of shoot development. Following the resumption of growth in spring, each species differs quantitatively in the number of internodes elongating contemporaneously, in rates and duration of internodal elongation and seasonal periodicity of shoot growth. The basic pattern of internode elongation and histogenesis is qualitatively similar in each of the dicotyledonous species observed irrespective of growth habit or final form of the shoot produced. During the intial phase of internode development, growth is essentially uniform throughout young internodes, corresponding to an active period of cell division during which time pith cells increase in size to about one-third their final length. Subsequently, the pattern of cell division shifts progressively upward concomitant with increased elongation and maturation of pith cells in the basal portion of developing internodes. Thereafter, a wave of cell division accompanied by cell elongation continues to proceed acropetally until growth finally ceases in the distal portion of each internode. As long as internode elongation continues, frequently at distances 15–20 cm below the shoot apex, cell divisions still occur in the distal growing portion. As successive portions of each internode mature acropetally, final length of pith cells becomes relatively uniform throughout the internode. During the process of internode growth and development, cell lengths increase only two- to threefold, whereas cell numbers increase ten- to 30-fold, indicating the dominant role of cell division and increases in cell number to final internode length. Morphological patterns of shoot expression associated with differences in internode lengths along the axis of either preformed or neoformed shoots, as well as sylleptic branches, are due to differences in cell number rather than final cell length. Significant variations in final internode lengths along the axis of episodic shoots, caused by either endogenous or exogenous factors, are also attributed to differences in cell number.     

The Relationship between Flower Abortion and Endogenous Auxin Content of Rose Shoots

The amount of endogenous growth substances in stem, flowers and leaves of rose plants grown under different temperature and light conditions has been determined. It appeared to be two main growth promoting factors in the acidic fraction of the ether extract. One of them is assumed to be an auxin, probably indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA); the other is not identified. The level of auxin was much higher in extracts from shoots grown at high temperature than in shoots grown at low temperature. Increasing light intensity also seemed to increase the auxin content of the shoots. Shoots which developed after a high cut back of the rose stem had a higher auxin content than shoots which developed after a low cut back. These findings are discussed in relation to the effect of temperature, light intensity and cut back practise on blind shoot formation in roses. The result of these investigations strongly indicate that abortion in roses is promoted by a low auxin level in the shoots.     

The Role of Auxin in the Apical Regulation of Leaf Abscission in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The petiole abscission induced by deblading cotyledonary leavesof cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Delta Pine) was acceleratedby the presence of the intact shoot apex or, in decapitatedplants and explants, by application to the stem (proximal application)of indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) or 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylicacid (ACC). IAA and ACC accelerated the abscission of debladedpetioles whether applied above or below the cotyledonary node.Transport of IAA to the node was not required for the responseto proximal IAA. [2,3-¹⁴C]ACC was readily transported to thenodal region whether applied to the stem above or below thenode. Application of IAA or ACC to the stem did not induce theabscission of intact leaves or of debladed petioles treateddistally with IAA The acceleration of abscission by proximal IAA, but not thatcaused by ACC, was prevented if explants were treated with a-aminooxyaceticacid (AOA), an inhibitor of ACC-synthase. AOA also preventedthe acceleration of abscission caused by the shoot apex. Theprogress of abscission in debladed explants was greatly delayedby silver thiosulphate (STS—an inhibitor of ethylene action),whether or not the explants were treated with IAA or ACC. Itis suggested that the speeding effects of the shoot apex andof proximal auxin on the abscission of debladed petioles requiresauxin-induced ACC synthesis. The possibility is discussed thatACC may function as a mobile abscission promoter Key words: Abscission, ACC, ACC-synthase, cotton (Gossypium), proximal auxin     

Ectopic expression of class 1 KNOX genes induce adventitious shoot regeneration and alter growth and development of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) and European plum (Prunus domestica L)

Transgenic plants of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) and European plum (Prunus domestica L) were produced by transforming with the apple class 1 KNOX genes (MdKN1 and MdKN2) or corn KNOX1 gene. Transgenic tobacco plants were regenerated in vitro from transformed leaf discs cultured in a medium lacking cytokinin. Ectopic expression of KNOX genes retarded shoot growth by suppressing elongation of internodes in transgenic tobacco plants. Expression of each of the three KNOX1 genes induced malformation and extensive lobbing in tobacco leaves. In situ regeneration of adventitious shoots was observed from leaves and roots of transgenic tobacco plants expressing each of the three KNOX genes. In vitro culture of leaf explants and internode sections excised from in vitro grown MdKN1 expressing tobacco shoots regenerated adventitious shoots on MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) basal medium in the absence of exogenous cytokinin. Transgenic plum plants that expressed the MdKN2 or corn KNOX1 gene grew normally but MdKN1 caused a significant reduction in plant height, leaf shape and size and produced malformed curly leaves. A high frequency of adventitious shoot regeneration (96%) was observed in cultures of leaf explants excised from corn KNOX1-expressing transgenic plum shoots. In contrast to KNOX1-expressing tobacco, leaf and internode explants of corn KNOX1-expressing plum required synthetic cytokinin (thidiazuron) in the culture medium to induce adventitious shoot regeneration. The induction of high-frequency regeneration of adventitious shoots in vitro from leaves and stem internodal sections of plum through the ectopic expression of a KNOX1 gene is the first such report for a woody perennial fruit trees.     

Does Auxin Play a Role in the Release of Apical Dominance by Shoot Inversion in Ipomoea nil?

According to the auxin-inhibition hypothesis of apical dominance,apically produced auxin moves down the stem and inhibits axillarybud outgrowth, either directly or indirectly. This hypothesishas been examined further by monitoring changes in basipetalauxin transport and endogenous auxin concentration in Ipomoeanil caused by shoot inversion, a stimulus that releases apicaldominance. The results indicate that inversion reduces auxintransport in the main stem. In upright shoots of intact plants,a 16-h pretreatment with [³H]IAA 4 cm below the apex resultsin downward movement of label and accumulation in nodes, especiallythe cotyledonary node. Label does not accumulate in the lateralbuds. GC-MS determinations of endogenous free auxin level inthe fourth node, where a lateral bud grows out following inversionof the upper part of the shoot, show no changes at 3 and 8 hafter inversion, the range of times for inversion-induced budrelease, or at 24 h, when bud outgrowth is continuing. However,inversion did cause a just-detectable decrease (approx. 10%)in the IAA level of the shoot's elongation region. Althoughauxin transport in segments of the main stem is partially inhibitedby inversion over a period shorter than the latent time of budrelease, thus providing a means for the expected depletion ofauxin in the fourth node, no depletion could be detected there.These results suggest that either a decrease in IAA level inthe main stem is not causal of bud release or that the decreasedIAA pool responsible for bud release is compartmented and cannotbe measured in whole-tissue extracts.Copyright 1993, 1999 AcademicPress Apical dominance, auxin content, auxin transport, axillary bud release, GC-MS, Ipomoea nil, Pharbitis nil, shoot inversion     

CONTROL OF SHOOT-RHIZOME DIMORPHISM IN THE WOODY MONOCOTYLEDON,CORDYLINE (AGAVACEAE)

In Cordyline terminalis negatively geotropic leafy shoots and positively geotropic rhizomes develop from single axillary buds on either shoots or rhizomes. All axillary buds have similar morphogenetic potential when released from apical dominance. Experiments in which the orientation of the apex is changed, organs removed, or growth regulators applied indicate that after a rhizome is initiated, it is maintained as a rhizome by auxin originating in the leafy shoot. When auxin levels are lowered by changes in the orientation of the axis or shoot removal, the rhizome apex becomes a shoot apex, which appears to be the stable state of the actively growing apex. Benzyl adenine when applied exogenously to the apex or lateral buds has the same effect as lowering the auxin level. Gibberellic acid has no effect on the apex or lateral buds. High levels of exogenous naphthaleneacetic acid cause bud release and development of rhizomes from previously inhibited axillary buds of the shoot. However, it was not possible to convert a shoot apex into a rhizome apex by auxin treatment. It is suggested that the release of buds on the lower side of horizontal branches and of buds directly above a stem girdle is caused by high auxin levels on the lower side or distal to the girdle. The experimental results are discussed in relation to naturally occurring shoot-rhizome dimorphism.     

Correlations between net auxin and secondary xylem development in young Populus deltoides

Stems of cottonwood ( Populs deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) plants grown under different conditions were examined to determine the relation between net endogenous auxin yields and the acropetal advance of the primary-secondary vascular transition zone (TZ). In all treatments, the internode yielding maximum net auxin activity, as determined by the Avena curvature bioassay, closely corresponded with the internode in which the TZ occurred. Under short-day (SD) dormancy-inducing conditions, auxin yield declined steadily while the maximum auxin peak and the TZ shifted toward younger internodes. Auxin yields from these plants were extremely low after 5 weeks of SD compared with those from long-day (LD) plants. The only consistent auxin yield was obtained from internodes subtending young leaves beneath the apical bud. Plants placed in SD for 3 weeks and then returned to LD conditions showed an immediate increase in auxin yield in the stem, and the progressive acropetal advance of the TZ under SD was reversed. Therefore, within 7 LD the positions of the TZ and peak auxin yield corresponded to those observed before the imposition of SD Fully dormant plants placed in LD showed a dramatic rise in auxin yields during the first 2 weeks of renewed growth. Although low levels of auxin were found in the newly developing shoots after 6 LD, yields increased rapidly after 9 and 14 LD. The position of the TZ corresponded with the peak of net auxin activity after 9 and 14 LD.     

Cytokinin/Auxin Control of Apical Dominance in Ipomoea nil

Although the concept of apical dominance control by the ratioof cytokinin to auxin is not new, recent experimentation withtransgenic plants has given this concept renewed attention.In the present study, it has been demonstrated that cytokinintreatments can partially reverse the inhibitory effect of auxinon lateral bud outgrowth in intact shoots of Ipomoea nil. Althoughless conclusive, this also appeared to occur in buds of isolatednodes. Auxin inhibited lateral bud outgrowth when applied eitherto the top of the stump of the decapitated shoot or directlyto the bud itself. However, the fact that cytokinin promotiveeffects on bud outgrowth are known to occur when cytokinin isapplied directly to the bud suggests different transport tissuesand/or sites of action for the two hormones. Cytokinin antagonistswere shown in some experiments to have a synergistic effectwith benzyladenine on the promotion of bud outgrowth. If theratio of cytokinin to auxin does control apical dominance, thenthe next critical question is how do these hormones interactin this correlative process? The hypothesis that shoot-derivedauxin inhibits lateral bud outgrowth indirectly by depletingcytokinin content in the shoots via inhibition of its productionin the roots was not supported in the present study which demonstratedthat the repressibility of lateral bud outgrowth by auxin treatmentsat various positions on the shoot was not correlated with proximityto the roots but rather with proximity to the buds. Resultsalso suggested that auxin in subtending mature leaves as wellas that in the shoot apex and adjacent small leaves may contributeto the apical dominance of a shoot. (Received September 24, 1996; Accepted March 16, 1997)     

Auxin Concentrations in Nodes and Internodes ofImpatiens sultani

Greater concentrations of auxin at nodes than in internodes,resulting from some nodal barrier to basipetal transport, havelong been postulated as the cause of early differentiation ofinitially isolated xylem and cambium at the nodes. However,this study, using [¹⁴C] indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) applied apicallyand gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, found that in stemsofImpatiens sultanithe IAA concentrations (per unit f. wt) atnodes were similar to those in adjacent internodes, though alittle greater at nodes if expressed per unit length of stemand a little less per unit d. wt. By contrast, in decapitatedshoots and in stem explants of dicotyledons, loss of the apicalsource of basipetally flowing auxin can result in auxin drainagewith some auxin retention in the uppermost remaining nodes.When [¹⁴C]IAA was applied apically to shoots for 4 h and stemexplants were excised, the explants had no nodal accumulationinitially whereas comparable explants incubated for 20 h revealedsignificant nodal accumulation. If decapitation leads both tonodal auxin accumulation and to adventitious abscission justabove the node, this fits the hypothesis that abscission sitesare positioned where auxin concentration decreases locally inthe apical direction. Difficulties in quantifying nodal auxindynamics are discussed, and some crude estimates of metabolicrates and locations of the auxin are presented.Copyright 1999Annals of Botany Company Abscission, auxin,Impatiens sultani, indole-3-acetic acid, node.     

Effect of morphactin on stem growth in relation to auxin in precooled rooted tulip bulbs

Effect of morphactin IT 3456, an auxin transport inhibitor, on tulip stem elongation induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was investigated. Tulip stem growth induced by IAA 0.1 % in lanolin paste applied on the top internode after excision of flower bud and removal of all leaves was greatly inhibited by 0.2 % morphactin IT 3456 applied on the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st internode. The inhibitory effect of the morphactin on tulips stem growth promoted by IAA was restored by additional application of IAA below the morphactin treatment place. Morphactin inhibited also the growth of all internodes induced by flower bud in the absence of leaves. These results suggest a crucial role of auxin in the control growth of all internodes in tulip stem.     

Distribution of Three Auxin Protector Substances in Seeds and Shoots of the Japanese Morning Glory (Pharbitis nil)

The existence of substances which inhibit the enzymatic destruction of auxin in shoots of the Japanese morning glory (Pharbitis nil Choisy) has been confirmed, as has the fact that these substances are distributed in a gradient diminishing from apex to base in a manner indicating a regulatory role in internode elongation and tissue maturation. In addition to the 2 auxin protector substances reported previously (protectors I and II) which appear to account for most of the inhibition of the enzymatic destruction of auxin in young, elongating stem tissue, a third substance, designated as protector A, has been found to be highly active in seeds, and shoot tips of mature plants: In germinating seeds, no protector I or II activity was observed; in stem tips, no protector II and only slight protector I activity was observed. In contrast, old tissue contained no detectable amounts of protector A, but did contain protectors I and II. Between these extremes along the shoot axis, mixtures of the 3 substances were found. The evidence can be interpreted to mean that protector A is degraded into protectors I and II and perhaps translocated in this form. Gel filtration studies indicate that protector A has a molecular weight exceeding 200,000 gm/mole.     

Effects of shoot bending of apple trees on accumulation and translocation of14C-labelled assimilates

The translocation of¹⁴C-labelled assimilates from a single leaf in bent and intact apple shoots was studied in varying stages of shoot development. In actively growing shoots¹⁴C-labelled assimilates translocated from the treated leaf and accumulated mainly in the shoot apex. In moderately growing apple shoots radioactive assimilates were translocated from the treated leaf in both directions towards and down the shoot. In apple shoots showing only slight growth activity the¹⁴C-labelled assimilates were transported from the treated leaf mainly to the base of the shoot, stem and roots. Bending shoots changed the pattern of distribution of radioactive assimilates. Bending actively and moderately growing shoots resulted in higher concentration of 14-carbon in the shoot apex than in controls. In slowly growing and non-growing apple shoots bending caused a higher accumulation of radioactive assimilates in the bent section than in an equal section of control shoots.     

An efficient method for adventitious shoot regeneration from stem-segment explants of gypsophila

An efficient adventitious shoot regeneration procedure was developed for Gypsophila paniculata L. Using cultivar Arbel, shoot regeneration from the three upper internodes of the stem was monitored on MS media supplemented with different cytokinins (thidiazuron, benzyladenine, kinetin or zeatin) and an auxin (naphthaleneacetic acid). Thidiazuron was found to be the most efficient cytokinin, with up to 100% of the explants forming shoots, at an average of up to 19 shoots per explant being regenerated. The highest percentage of shoot formation was observed in the stem explants originating from the first internode, with all cytokinins tested. The adventitious origin of shoots regenerated from stem explants was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The regeneration procedure was found to be applicable to five other gypsophila cultivars (Perfecta, Golan, Gilboa, Flamingo and Tavor). Regenerating plants were successfully transferred to soil, and did not differ in flower color, size or shape from standard vegetatively propagated plants derived from cuttings. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sectorial Patterns in Leaves on Fruit Tree Shoots Produced by Radioactive Assimilates and Solutions

In vigorously growing shoots of apple and plum ¹⁴C-assimilateswere translocated from a ‘fed’ leaf to particularsectors of other leaves in a distribution pattern associatedwith the phyllotaxis; the same sectorial and distribution patternswere produced by ³²P phosphate solution taken into the shootthrough a cut petiole. The frequency with which a given sectorialpattern occurred at a particular position on the phyllotacticspiral was ascertained. Such patterns were not observed abovethe third rolled leaf in the apple shoot apex. Killing the phloem in the petiole prevented egress of labelledassimilate but not of ³²P solution. Barkringing above the sourceleaf reduced, but did not completely prevent, assimilate movementup the stem, suggesting some translocation in the xylem. Distribution of label from ⁴⁵CaCl₂, ⁸⁶RbCl and [³H]asparagine,incorporated through cut petioles, did not follow the same patternas label from ³²P solutions. Malus pumila Mill., apple, Prunus domestica L., Prunus insititia. L., leaf plum, patterns, transport of radioisotopes, vascular phyllotaxis