The Translocation of 14C-Photoassimilate from Normal and Mutant Leaves to the Pods of Pisum sativum L.

In experiments using radioactive carbon dioxide (¹⁴CO₂) a comparisonwas made of the ¹⁴C-photoassimilate translocation potentialsof two normal leaved (genotype AfAfTlTl) and two mutant formsof Pisum sativum (pea). A ¹⁴CO₂ administration method is describedthat permitted ¹⁴C-translocation studies to be conducted underfield conditions. One of the mutants available produced tendrils in place of leaves(afafTlTl). The other mutant studied was without tendrils buthad a much branched petiole with numerous relatively minuteleaflets (afaftltl). These mutants and the normal-leaved cultivarswith which they were compared were not isogenic lines. Lengthybackcrossing would be required before full assessment couldbe made of the possible agronomic value of such mutations. An interim evaluation of these mutants was based on ¹⁴C-distributionassays that were conducted 48 h after feeding ¹⁴CO₂, to specifiedleaves. The indication was that in translocation terms the leafand pod had a well defined respective source and sink relationshipthat was independent of leaf morphology. In each case the podswhich constituted the major ¹⁴C sinks depended on which leafhad been fed ¹⁴CO₂. With regard to sink specific activity asdefined by the quantity of ¹⁴C incorporated per unit dry weightof pod, the mutants were not significantly different from normal. The implication of these findings was that fundamental changesin pea leaf morphology could be made genetically without a markedeffect on the photoassimilate export potential of the leaf.     

The Effect of Calcium Starvation on Assimilate Partitioning and Mineral Distribution of the Phloem

Populus plants were grown in a medium lacking calcium and exposedto ¹⁴CO₂. In contrast to plants in the complete nutrient medium,the percentage amount of ¹⁴C-assimilates increased in the leavesof calcium-deficient plants and decreased in the stem and theroots. When plants were grown without potassium or magnesiumno differences in the amount of ¹⁴C-label occurred in comparisonwith plants in the complete nutrient medium. Translocation wasrecorded by microautoradiography. It was observed that considerableamounts of labelled photoassimilates were unloaded from thephloem in the middle part of the stem in plants of the completenutrient medium. In contrast, during calcium starvation ¹⁴C-labelwas restricted to the phloem of the stem. In addition, the concentrationsof magnesium and phosphorus showed a remarkable increase instem sieve tubes of calcium-deficient plants. When sieve tubesof source leaves from Populus, barley and maize were comparedwith those of sink leaves, the latter showed higher calciumconcentrations. The results suggest that calcium is a necessaryfactor in the regulation of phloem translocation. Key words: Calcium deficiency, phloem translocation, sieve element loading and unloading, X-ray microanalysis     

Pathway of phloem loading in the C3 tropical orchid hybrid Oncidium Goldiana

The apoplast of mature leaves of the tropical orchid OncidiumGoldiana was perfused with 0.5 mM p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonicacid (PCMBS) via the transpiration stream in order to test themode of phloem loading. The efficacy of introducing PCMBS byperfusion was shown by saffranin O dye movement in the veinsand leaf apoplast in control experiments. Photoassimilate exportas the result of phloem loading was measured by collection of¹⁴CO₂-derived photoassimilates from the basal cut-ends of intactleaves. Phloem loading and translocation of photoassimilates was inhibitedby 89% in leaves perfused with PCMBS for 1 h. The effect ofPCMBS on leaf photosynthesis was minimal. The amount of radiocarbonfixed by PCMBS-treated leaves averaged 89% of control leavesperfused with distilled water. A negative correlation betweenthe total amount of photoassimilate exuded and the calculatedconcentration of PCMBS in the leaf apoplast was also observed.The results indicate that phloem loading in Oncidium Goldianaoccurs via the apoplastic pathway. Key words: Phloem loading, apoplast, PCMBS, tropical orchid     

Seed Coat Unloading in Pisum sativum--Osmotic Effects in Attached versus Excised Empty Ovules

Experiments were undertaken with embryo-less ovules of Pisumsativum to study the influence of apoplastic osmolality on seedcoat import and seed coat unloading.¹¹CO₂ pulse labelling alongwith collimated monitoring of plant tissues were used with attachedovules to measure continuously and simultaneously total podimport, import into a modified ovule and photo-assimilate washoutfrom the seed coat of the ovule into a flow-through bathingsolution.Our results indicated that seed coat import was immediatelyaffected by a change in the applied bathing solution osmolality,with a decrease in osmolality lowering seed coat import andan increase in osmolality increasing import. ¹¹C-photo-assimilatewashout from attached ovules was found to respond in a similarmanner to the apoplastic osmolality. However, the osmotic effecton ¹¹C-washout was a delayed response and it appears that themajority of this observed response was due to the alterationin seed coat tracer import. Further experiments with ¹⁴C-labelled,excised seed coat halves (i.e. no further import) supportedthis hypothesis by demonstrating that seed coat unloading (measuredas ¹⁴C-photo-assimilate washout) was actually enhanced at alow solution osmolality. PCMBS had no effect on seed coat importor washout in attached, modified ovules, suggesting that photo-assimilateunloading from seed coats of Pisum does not involve a carrierprotein. Studies of the spatial distribution of imported ¹⁴Cin Pisum seed coats further suggest that this unloading, intothe apoplast, occurs from non-phloem cell types, and that themovement of photo-assimilates from the sieve elements to theterminal unloading site occurs via symplastic transport. Key words: Pisum sativum, seed coat, seed coat unloading, phloem unloading     

Allocation of Photosynthate to Individual Tubers of Solanum tuberosum L.: III. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GROWTH RATE OF INDIVIDUAL TUBERS, TUBER WEIGHT AND STOLON GROWTH PRIOR TO TUBER INITIATION

Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L.) were grown in water culture.About 14 d after tuber initiation no significant differenceswere found between apical and basal tuber parts in ¹⁴C-uptakeand partitioning into various fractions from ¹⁴C-labelled photosynthate.Thus, the fresh weight of these tubers could be used as a parameterfor the sink size. The ¹⁴C-content per tuber (sink strength)20 h after ¹⁴CO₂-supply to the foliage was significantly correlatedwith the tuber fresh weight. No correlation was found betweenthe ¹⁴C-concentration of the tuber (sink activity; ct. min^–g^– fr. wt.) and tuber fresh weight. Consequently, tuberfresh weight (sink size) per se must have been a factor whichinfluenced sink strength. Stolon parameters characterizing theirgrowth prior to tuber initiation (e.g. stolon volume) and theircapacity for photosynthate transport (diameter, length) weremeasured at the time of tuber initiation. Significant correlationswere found between these stolon parameters and subsequent growthof individual tubers. Anatomical studies on the proportion ofvarious tissues in the cross sectional area of stolons supportthe idea of a negative relation between growth of individualtubers and transport resistance in the phloem of the stolons.It is concluded that in the initial phase of tuber growth, mainlyfactors outside of the tuber determine its growth rate. In laterstages of tuber growth, when the sink strength increases, thecompeting strength of individual tubers for photosynthate isdominated mainly by factors within the tuber itself, such astheir sink size and sink activity. Key words: Potato tuber, sink size, tuber initiation, transport resistance     

Short-term Effects of Heat-girdles on Source Leaves of Vicia faba: Analysis of Phloem Loading and Carbon Partitioning Parameters

Petiole heat-girdle treatments (followed by a 5 min ¹⁴CO₂ assimilation)were performed on mature leaves of Vicia faba, in order to assesstheir effect on the partitioning of photo-assimilates to theminor vein phloem. Whole leaf autoradiographic evidence indicateda high leaf-to-leaf variation in the image intensity over theminor veins (relative to the mesophyll/epidermal background)in both control and heat-girdled groups of leaves. The averagedegree of minor vein labelling in heat-girdled leaves, however,was found to be significantly lower than that in controls. Comparativeassessment of vein labelling was based on microscopic densityreadings of silver grains over veinal and interveinal regionsin autoradiographic images. Investigations into the cause ofthis alteration in vein labelling indicated no involvement ofan inhibition of apoplasmic phloem loading, as both heat-girdledand control leaves of Vicia were shown to have comparable minorvein uptake of exogenously supplied ¹⁴C-sucrose. Heat-girdlingwas shown, however, to increase significantly the partitioningof recently fixed carbon into the insoluble (mainly starch)fraction relative to the ethanol-soluble fraction, within 12min of the treatment. We suggest that this carbon partitioningchange can primarily account for the change in vein labelling,since an increase in the insoluble fraction would result in(1) more ¹⁴C-activity remaining in the leaf mesophyll and (2)less ¹⁴C-activity going into the mesophyll export pool, andthus, less ¹⁴C-sucrose being transferred to the minor vein region.Additionally, although leaf export was completely halted inheat-girdled leaves, ¹⁴C-activity was found within the majorveins as far as the point of petiole heat-girdling (followinga 5 min assimilation and 4 h chase). Apparently, continued (butlimited) solution flow within the sieve elements is maintainedby transport pathway unloading within the treated leaves. Key words: Phloem loading, carbon partitioning, heat-girdle, Vicia faba     

The Influence of Plant Water Deficit on Distribution of 14C-labelled Assimilates in Cacao Seedlings

The relationship between plant water status and distributionof ¹⁴C-labelled assimilates in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) wasevaluated after ¹⁴CO₂ pulse labelling leaves of seedlings subjectedto varying levels of water deficiency. The proportion of ¹⁴Cexported by source leaves was strongly affected by seedlingwater status. An increasing proportion of labelled assimilatesremained in source leaves at both 24-h and 72-h harvests aswater stress intensity increased. Water stress reduced the distributionof exported label to leaves and to the expanding flush in particularbut increased the proportion of label in stems and roots. Theresults suggest that current photoassimilates may be temporarilystored in source leaves and stems of cacao seedlings duringperiods of plant water deficit. The stress-induced changes inpartitioning of labelled carbon were in concordance with changesin shoot to root biomass ratios, which was likely due to greaterreduction in growth of above-ground organs to that of roots. Theobroma cacao L, assimilate partitioning, cacao, ¹⁴C-photoassimilate, water stress, water potential     

Quantitative Analysis of Intercellularly-Transported Photoassimilates in Chara corallina

Using a thin-layer chromatographic technique, we have identifiedthe photoassimilates that are transported intercellularly frombranchlets to internodes in Chara corallina. An internode-branchletcomplex having a primary apex was used in these experiments.After feeding 1 mol m³ NaH¹⁴CO₃ to a branchlet for 10 min, the¹⁴C-labelled photoassimilates (¹⁴C-photoassimilates) found inthe sol endoplasm of the branchlet were composed of sucrose,amino acids, malate, and sugarphosphates. The composition ofthe ¹⁴C-photoassimilates transported from the source branchletto the sink internode in 10 min was the same as that in thesol endoplasm of the source branchlet. From the proportion ofeach ¹⁴C-photoassimilate in both the source branchlet and thesink internode, it was deduced that the main photoassimilatesinvolved in the intercellular transport were sucrose and aminoacids. We found previously that polar transport of photoassimilatesoccurs from a branchlet to an internode with an apex. Determinationof the amount of sucrose, amino acids, glucose-6-phosphate,and malate in both branchlet and internode with or without anapex revealed that there were gradients in the concentrationsof sucrose, serine, and glutamic acid between the sol endoplasmof the two cells. The levels were higher in the branchlet andlower in the internode and the gradients decreased when theapex was detached. Therefore, it is concluded that sucrose andthese amino acids are the compounds involved in the polar intercellulartransport. Key words: Chara corallina, intercellular transport, photoassimilates, ¹⁴C     

Effect of Gibberellic Acid on the Distribution of Products of Photosynthesis in Sunflower

Single leaves on growing sunflower plants were allowed to assimilate¹⁴CO₂. Gibberellic acid was applied to the same leaf or to theterminal bud or the roots, and the distribution of assimilated¹⁴C was determined at intervals of 1–96 h. Gibberellicacid had no significant effect on initial distribution of ¹⁴Cduring the period of rapid export from the leaf, but enhancedre-export from the roots after translocation from the leaf hadvirtually ceased. Most of the ¹⁴C exported from the roots accumulatedin the shoot tip. The site of application of the hormone wasof relatively minor importance. Wherever it was applied themajor effect was enhancement of movement from the roots to theshoot tip. Application to the terminal bud was most effectivein this respect. There was no evidence that gibberellic aciddirectly affected the transport system, but the data supportthe hypothesis that it increases the strength of the sink inthe shoot tip. Helianthus annuus L., sunflower, assimilate transport, gibberellic acid, phloem transport     

Regulation of water permeability in rabbit conjunctival epithelium by anisotonic conditions

Effects of unilateral exposure to anisotonic conditions on diffusional water permeability of the isolated rabbit conjunctiva were determined. A segment of the bulbar-palpebral conjunctiva was mounted between Ussing-type hemichambers under short-circuit conditions. Unidirectional water fluxes (J_dw) were measured in either direction by adding ³H₂O to one hemichamber and sampling from the other. Electrical parameters were measured simultaneously. J_dw were determined under control isosmotic conditions and after introduction of either hyper- or hypotonic solutions against the tear or stromal sides of the preparations. In each of these four separate conditions, the anisotonic medium produced an 20–30% reduction in J_dw across the tissue, with the exception that to obtain such reduction with increased tonicity from the stromal side (medium osmolality increased by adding sucrose), conditions presumptively inhibiting regulatory volume increase mechanisms (e.g., pretreatment with amiloride and bumetanide) were also required. All reductions in J_dw elicited by the various anisotonic conditions were reversible on restoration of control tonicity. In experiments in which preparations were pretreated with the protein cross-linking agent glutaraldehyde, anisotonicity-elicited reductions in J_dw were not observed. Such reductions were also not observed in the presence of HgCl₂, implying the involvement of aquaporins. However, it is possible that the mercurial may be toxic to the epithelium, preventing the tonicity response. Nevertheless, from concomitant changes in transepithelial electrical resistance, as well as [¹⁴C]mannitol fluxes, [¹⁴C]butanol fluxes, and Arrhenius plots, arguments are presented that the above effects are best explained as a cell-regulated reduction in membrane water permeability that occurs at the level of water-transporting channels. Presumably both apical and basolateral membranes can downregulate their water permeabilities as part of a protective mechanism to help maintain cell volume. unidirectional water fluxes; net water fluxes; Ussing chamber; short-circuit current; electrolyte transport; cell volume regulation; paracellular mannitol permeability     

The Cellular Pathway of Radial Transfer of Photosynthates in Stems of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Effects of Cellular Plasmolysis and p-Chloromercuribenzene Sulphonic Acid

Cellular plasmolysis with l M solutions of mannitol appearedto sever plasmodesmatal interconnections between all cells ofthe stems of Phaseolus vulgaris plants except the sieve element-companioncell (se—cc) complexes. Phloem loading and uptake of [¹⁴C]sucroseby the storage cells of the stems was unimpaired by cellularplasmolysis followed by rehydration of the stem tissues. Accumulationof phloem-transported ¹⁴C-photosynthates of the treated stemswas inhibited in summer-grown plants and unaffected in winter-grownplants indicating that phloem unloading follows a symplasticand a free-space route respectively depending on growth season.At a concentration that did not interfere with cellular metabolism,p-chloromercuribenzene sulphonic acid (PCMBS) applied to thestems blocked [¹⁴C]sucrose loading into the phloem and storagecells of the stem, but had no effect on the pool size of free-spacesugars. This latter response is consistent with a facilitatedmechanism of sugar unloading to the stem free-space. Accumulationof phloem-transported ¹⁴C-photosynthates was stimulated by PCMBSand this effect was most pronounced in winter-grown plants.Cellular plasmolysis followed by rehydration abolished the PCMBSaction on ¹⁴C-photosynthate accumulation. This effect is consistentwith a PCMBS induction of phloem unloading through the stemsymplast. It is proposed that phloem unloading in bean stemsmay follow either a free-space or symplastic route and thatthe latter route is entrained under sink-limited conditions. Phaseolus vulgaris, french bean, stem, phioem unloading, free-space, symplast     

Cellular pathway of photosynthate transport in coats of developing seed of Vicia faba L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. I. Extent of transport through the coat symplast

The extent of post-phloem solute transport through the coatsymplasts of developing seeds of Vicia faba L. and Phaseolusvulgaris L. was evaluated. For Vicia seed coats, the membrane-impermeantfluorochrome, CF, moved radially from the chalazal vein to reachthe chlorenchyma and thin-walled parenchyma transfer cell layers.Thereafter, the fluorochrome moved laterally in these two celllayers around the entire circumference of the seed coat. Transferof CF from the chalazal vein was inhibited by plasmolysis ofattached ‘empty’ seed coats. In contrast, the spreadof phloem imported CF was restricted to the ground parenchymaof Phaseolus seed coats. Fluorochrome loaded into the outermostground parenchyma cell layer was rendered immobile followingplasmolysis of excised seed-coat halves. Phloem-imported [¹⁴C]sucroseand the slowly membrane permeable sugar, L-[¹⁴C]glucose, werepartitioned identically between the vascular and non-vascularregions of intact Vicia seed coats. For ¹⁴C-photosynthates,these partitioning patterns in attached ‘empty’Vicia seed coats were unaffected by PCMBS, but inhibited byplasmolysis. Tissue autoradiographs of intact Phaseolus seedcoats demonstrated that a pulse of ¹⁴C-photosynthate moved fromthe veins to the grounds tissues. In excised Vicia seed coats,preloaded with ¹⁴C-photosynthates, the cellular distributionof residual ¹⁴C-label was unaffected by PCMBS. In contrast,PCMBS caused the ¹⁴C-photosynthate levels to be elevated inthe veins and ground parenchyma relative to the branch parenchymaof Phaseolusseed coat halves. Based on the above findings, itis concluded that the phloem of Vicia seed coats is interconnectedto two major symplastic domains; one comprises the chlorenchyma,the other the thin-walled parenchyma plus thin-walled parenchymatransfer cells. For Phaseolusseed coats, the phloem forms amajor symplastic domain with the ground parenchyma. Key words: Phaseolus vulgaris L, phloem unloading, photosynthate transport, seed coat, symplast, Vicia faba L     

Cold-Inhibited Phloem Translocation in Sugar Beet: IV. ANALYSIS OF THE COOLING-INDUCED REPARTITIONING HYPOTHESIS

Systems identification techniques were used to calculate photo-assimilatetransport characteristics in Beta vulgaris and Pisum sativum,before and after the application of localized perturbationsto the transport path. Changes in photo-assimilate partitioningto various monitored sinks were found to be promoted by slowcool (25 ?C to 1 ?C in 40 min), quick cool (25 ?C to 1 ?C in2 min)/quick warm, and apoplastic osmotic treatments of a localizedregion of the source leaf petiole in Beta. Photo-assimilatepartitioning into both intact and surgically modified (embryo-less)ovules of Pisum was also observed to change following quickcool/quick warm treatments applied to a 2.0 cm region of thepeduncle leading to the monitored pod. No changes in transportproperties were observed through the treated petiole regionof Beta during or following the slow cool treatment (i.e. transittime or system gain). High apoplastic osmolality (addition of1 000 mol m^–3 sorbitol) reduced the transit time of tracermovement through the treated petiole of Beta, while enhancingtracer washout from the bathed tissue region. Our modellingtechniques have shown that the physical or physiological basisfor the sink partitioning changes must be due to alterationsdownstream of the treated pathway zone, suggesting the involvementof physical signals transmitted from the treated region. Theseresults support the previously presented cooling-induced repartitioninghypothesis (Grusak and Lucas, 1986) and demonstrate that pathway-originatedstimuli can alter source-sink photo-assimilate partitioning. Key words: Photo-assimilate partitioning, phloem translocation, Beta vulgaris, Pisum sativum     

Effects of P deficiency on the uptake, flows and utilization of C, N and H2O within intact plants of Ricinus communis L.

The influence of P deficiency on the uptake, flow and utilizationof C, N and H₂0 by intact NO₃-fed castor bean plants {Ricinuscommunis L.) was studied over a 9 d period in the middle oftheir vegetative growth. The modelling techniques incorporateddata on net increments or losses of C, N and H₂O in plant parts,photosynthetic gains in and respiratory losses of C, molar C:Nratios of solutes in phloem and xylem sap and transpirationallosses of H₂0. Plant growth was inhibited within 3 d of withholdingP supply and dry matter production was less than one-third ofthe controls. Leaf growth was particularly depressed, whileroot growth was much less affected than that of the shoot. Shoot:rootratio of low-P plants was 1.5 compared with 2.6 under P supply.Over the 9 d study period total plant C and N increased by 560and 47 mmol, respectively, in the controls, but by only 113and 6.9 mmol in the low-P treatment. The particularly low incrementof N in P-deficient plants was due principally to decreasedN0₃^- uptake. Flows of C and N during the study period were markedlydifferent between control and P-deficient plants. The partitioningprofile for C in P-deficient plants showed a dramatic inhibitionof net photosynthesis and attendant photoassimilate flow. Proportionaldownward to upward allocation of carbon increased with increasein sink size of the root relative to shoot. This was reflectedin greater relative allocation of C to root dry matter and rootrespiration than in P-sufficient plants, and suppressed cyclingof C from root to shoot via xylem. Nitrogen intake and xylemtransport to the shoot of P-deficient plants were only 15% ofthe control and, as in the case of C, downward allocation ofN predominated over upward phloem translocation. Apart fromthese severe changes, however, the basic patterns of N flowsincluding xylem-to-phloem and xylem-to-xylem transfer of N werenot changed, a feature highlighting the vital nature of thesetransfer processes even under deficiency conditions. The alterationsin flows and partitioning of C, N and H₂O in response to low-Pconditions are discussed in relation to the corresponding effectsof moderate salt stress in Ricinus and the conclusion is reachedthat changes in nutrient flows under P deficiency were morehighly co-ordinated than when plants experience salt stress.Flow profiles under P deficiency which favour root growth andactivity are viewed as a means for increasing the potentialcapability of the plant to acquire P from the nutrient medium. Key words: Ricinus communis L., P deficiency, carbon, nitrogen, water, partitioning, xylem transport, phloem transport     

Phloem-xylem water flow in developing cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica during sink-to-source transition

Phloem versus xylem water and carbon flow between a developingdaughter cladode (flattened stem segment) and the underlyingbasal cladode of Opuntia ficus-indica was assessed using netCO₂ uptake, transpiration, phloem sap concentration, and waterpotential of both organs as well as phloem and apoplastic tracers.A 14-d-old daughter cladode was a sink organ with a negativedaily net CO₂ uptake; its water potential was higher than thatof the underlying basal cladode, implicating a non-xylem pathwayfor the water needed for growth. Indeed, the relatively dilutephloem sap (7.44% dry weight) of a basal cladode can supplyall the water (7.1 gd^–1) along with photosynthate neededfor the growth of a 14-d-old daughter cladode; about 3% of theimported water flowed back to the basal cladode via the xylem.In contrast, a 28-d-old daughter cladode was a source organwhose water potential was lower than that of its basal cladode,so the xylem can supply the water needed (25.7 g d^–1)for its growth; about 6% of the imported water flowed back tothe basal cladode along with photosynthate via the phloem. Thephloem tracer carboxyfluorescein occurred in the phloem of 14-d-olddaughter cladodes after its precursor was applied to basal cladodes.When applied to basal cladodes, the apoplastic tracers sulphorhodamineG (SR) and trisodium 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulphonate (PTS)failed to move into 14-d-old daughter cladodes within 5 h, butmoved into 28-d-old daughter cladodes within 2 h. SR and PTSmoved into basal cladodes within 2 h when applied to 14-d-olddaughter cladodes, but not within 5-6 h when applied to 28-d-olddaughter cladodes. The tracer experiments therefore confirmedthe patterns of water flow determined using water and carbonbudgets. Key words: Carboxyfluorescein, phloem-xylem water flow, source-sink water relations, suiphorhodamine G, trisodium 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetnsulphonate     

Effect of the Osmotic Environment on Assimilate Transport in Isolated Developing Embryos of Maize (Zea mays)

Embryos obtained from developing kernels of maize (Zea maysL.) were incubated in a bathing medium, to measure the effectof the osmotic environment on the balance between uptake andrelease of assimilates by the embryo. Net efflux of sucroseand amino acids from the embryo decreased with increasing mannitolconcentration in the bathing medium and net uptake of [¹⁴C]valine increased with increasing mannitol concentration. Therole of a high osmolality of the seed apoplast in seed developmentis discussed Zea mays, maize, embryo, seed development, assimilate transport, turgor-sensitive transport     

Effect of Potassium on Sucrose and Amino Acid Release from the Seed Coat of Developing Seeds of Pisum sativum

After removal of the embryo from developing seeds of Pisum sativum,the ‘empty’ ovules (seed coats without enclosedembryo) were filled with a solution (pH 5.5) containing mannitol(usually 400 mM) to which various salts were added. A solutioncontaining two isotopes ((a) [²H]-sucrose/[–¹⁴C]aminoisobutyricacid (AIB) or (b) [³H]valine/[₁₄C]asparagine mixture) was administeredto the plant via the petiole subtending the fruiting node, and[²H]solute and [¹⁴C]solute unloading from the seed coat wasmeasured, in pulse-labelling experiments of about 5 h. The presenceof 25 or 50 mM K⁺ in the ‘empty’ ovule enhancedthe release of sucrose from the seed coat particularly duringthe first hours of the experiment, but the stimulating effectof K⁺ on the release of labelled solutes derived from aminoacids was much smaller. The presence of 25 mM CaCl₂ did notaffect the release of sucrose or amino acids from the seed coat.The effect of K⁺ on sucrose and amino acid release is explainedas an inhibition of sucrose and amino acid resorption from theseed coat apoplast into seed coat cells, after unloading fromthe seed coat unloading sites. It is suggested that amino acidrelease is much less affected by K⁺ than sucrose release, becausefar less resorption of amino acids by seed coat parenchyma cellstakes place during amino acid transport into the seed coat cavity. Pisum sativum, pea, assimilate transport, assimilate unloading, seed-coat exudate, seed development, sucrose resorption, surgical treatment     

Some Experimental and Theoretical Observations Concerning Mass Flow in the Vascular Bundles of Heracleum

The theory and practice of applying the thermodynamics of irreversibleprocesses to mass-flow theories is presented. Onsager coefficientswere measured on cut and uncut phloem and cut xylem strandsof Heracleum muntegazzimum. In 0.3 N sucrose + 1 mN KC1 theyare as follows. In phloem, L_EE = 5 ? 10–⁴ mho cm^–1,L_pE = 9 ? 10^–6 cm³ s^–1 cm^–2 volt^–1 cm,and L_PP = 0.16 cm³ s^–1 cm^–2 (J cm^–3)^–1cm. In uncut phloem strands L_EE is about 1 ? 10^–3 mhocm^–1. In xylem in 2 x 10^–3 N KCI, L_pp = 50 to 225,L_PE = 2 ? 10^–4, and L^EE = 4 ? 10^–3. The measurementsare tentative since the blockage of the sieve plates is an interferingfactor, but if they are valid they lead to the conclusion thatneither a pressure-flow nor an electro-kinetic mechanism envisaginga ‘long distance’ current pathway can be the majormotive ‘force’ for transport in mature phloem. Measurementsof biopotentials along conducting but laterally detached phloembundles of Heracleum suggest, nevertheless, that there may bea small electro-osmotic component of at least 0.1 mV cm^–1endogenous in the phloem.     

The Pathway of Assimilate Flow from Source to Sink in Urtica dioica L., Studied with14C under Ambient Atmospheric Conditions

The contribution of individual vascular bundles of the stemto the flow of assimilates from a selected source leaf to thesink regions was investigated inUrtica dioica L., a plant witha decussate leaf arrangement. Two homologous sets of eight vascularstrands were recognized, arranged in mirror symmetry in thestem internodes. In each set, three of the bundles were identifiedas traces of one leaf merging into the vascular system of thestem one node below the origin of the leaf. The main bundleof a stem-half bifurcates at each end of the internode intotwo subdominant bundles, which combine in the next but one nodeto form the dominant bundle again. Each set of vascular strandsalso contains two minor bundles which pass more or less withoutinterruption through the whole stem. The uppermost mature source leaf (leaf number 5 as counted fromthe tip) was exposed to¹⁴CO₂in a closed gas circuit. The concentrationof the carbon-labelled CO₂was maintained at the ambient CO₂levelto maintain the natural source strength of the leaf. By theend of the usual nocturnal dark phase, carbon from the sourceleaf had been imported predominantly by sink leaves of the sameorthostichy. Lesser, but significant amounts of radiocarbonwere also incorporated into the sink leaves of the adjacenttwo orthostichies via the marginal leaf traces. In spite ofthe junction of the vascular strands in the nodes and an interfascicularconnection of the stem bundles, randomization of the photosynthatesfrom individual leaves was minimal in the vascular system ofthe stem in the upward direction, and also low in the flux tothe roots. Substantial amounts of radioactivity were also foundin the lately-formed xylem elements of the vascular strandsand their interfascicular connections, indicating active secondarygrowth. Assimilate distribution; source–sink connections; Urtica dioica ; vascular architecture     

Effects of nitrogen nutrition on salt-stressed Nicotiana tabacum var. Samsun in vitro plantlets

Tobacco shoots were grown in vitro for 35 d, in MS culture mediummodified to include various sources (nitrate-N, ammonium-N ora mixture) and levels (0–120 mM) of N, and in the presenceof 0–180 mM NaCI or iso-osmotic concentrations of mannitol.Growth of control plantlets was significantly inhibited whenNH₄⁺-N was the sole N source, and at high (120 mM) NO^–₃-N supply. Under conditions of salt stress (90 and 180 mM NaCI)growth was repressed, with roots being more severely affectedthan shoots. Salinity also inhibited root emergence in vitro.The only alleviation of the salt stress by nitrate nutritionobserved in this study was on shoot growth parameters of plantletsgrown on 60 mM NO^–₃-N and 90 mM NaCI. Although both weresignificantly inhibited by NaCI, nitrate reduc-tase activitywas more severely affected than nitrate uptake. When mannitolreplaced NaCI in the culture medium, similar Inhibition of growth,nutrient uptake and enzyme activity were recorded. These observations,together with the relatively low recorded values for Na⁺ andCI^– uptake, indicate that under in vitro salt stress conditionsthe negative effects of NaCI are primarily osmotic. Key words: Growth, nitrogen metabolism, osmotic stress, salinity