Zinc Mobility in Wheat: Uptake and Distribution of Zinc Applied to Leaves or Roots

Little is known about transport of Zn from leaves to other plantorgans. The present study tested a range of Zn forms appliedfoliarly for their suitability to provide adequate Zn nutritionto wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Transport of⁶⁵Zn applied eitherto leaves or to one side of the root system was also studied.Inorganic (ZnO, ZnSO₄) and chelated sources of Zn (ZnEDTA, glycine-chelatedBiomin Zn) applied foliarly provided sufficient Zn for vigorousgrowth. Zinc concentrations in roots and shoots were in thesufficiency range, except in the -Zn control. Foliar treatmentswith ZnSO₄and chelated Zn forms resulted in shoot Zn concentrationsin 7-week-old plants being about two-fold greater than thosein plants supplied with Zn in the root environment or via foliarspray of ZnO. Adding surfactant to foliar sprays containingchelated forms of Zn did not cause negative growth effects,but surfactant added to ZnO or ZnSO₄foliar sprays decreasedshoot growth. Adding urea to the ZnO foliar spray had no effecton shoot growth. Foliarly-applied⁶⁵Zn was translocated to leavesabove and below the treated leaf as well as to the root tips.Stem girdling confirmed that⁶⁵Zn transport toward lower leavesand roots was via the phloem. Split-root experiments showedintensive accumulation of⁶⁵Zn in the stem and transport to allleaves as well as to the root tips in the non-labelled sideof the root system. Foliar application of Zn in inorganic ororganic form is equally suitable for providing adequate Zn nutritionto wheat. Phloem transport of Zn from leaves to roots was demonstrated.Copyright 2001 Annals of Botany Company Foliar spraying, phloem, surfactant, urea, xylem, wheat, zinc