Effects of Fertilization and Irrigation on the Seasonal Changes of Carbohydrate Reserves in Different Age-Classes of Needle on 20-Year-Old Scots Pine Trees (Pinus silvestris)

The effects of fertilization, irrigation or both on the seasonal changes of starch and soluble carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, myo-inositol, pinitol and sucrose) in needles of 20-year-old Scots pine trees (Pinus silvestris L.) were studied during three consecutive years. The starch content of the mature needles increased during spring and early summer to about 25% of dry weight. Neither fertilization nor irrigation affected the general pattern of starch accumulation during the spring. The starch reserves were mobilized when the shoot started to grow. Starch content decreased more rapidly in needles from fertilized than in those from unfertilized trees. The current needles from the control trees accumulated starch while they were still growing. The current needles of the fertilized trees did so to a lesser extent. The amount of starch was closely correlated to the air temperature and to the growth rate. Large amounts were found at low temperatures and low growth rates. The concentrations of soluble carbohydrates showed the well-known seasonal variation, with the highest value during the winter. The levels of sugars were nearly similar, irrespective of fertilization. An exception was sucrose, which was found in small quantities in needles from fertilized plots. Small amounts of sucrose were also found in growing current needles. The results are discussed in relation to growth limitation by assimilate availability and indicate that the ‘sink demand’ is the limiting factor.     

云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林不同林层非结构性碳水化合物特征

在聚类分析的基础上,研究云南普洱季风常绿阔叶林主要物种非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)及其组分浓度、分配和季节性动态在林冠层、亚冠层和林下层间的变化特征.结果表明:亚冠层中可溶性糖及NSC浓度最高,分别为3.9%和13.3%,可溶性糖淀粉比在林下层最低,为0.76,而淀粉浓度则在各林层间无显著性差异.3个林层的可溶性糖均主要分配在叶片中,淀粉和NSC主要分配在根中.亚冠层中叶片和树干的可溶性糖浓度显著高于林冠层和林下层,枝和根的可溶性糖浓度在3个林层间无显著性差异;叶片的淀粉浓度则随林层高度降低而增加,但根淀粉浓度则是在林下层最低,为10.7%,枝和树干的淀粉浓度在3个林层间无显著差异;叶片NSC浓度为林冠层(10.7%)显著低于亚冠层(12.3%)和林下层(12.0%),但根的NSC浓度在林下层中最低,为14.2%;林下层叶片、枝、树干中可溶性糖淀粉比值均最低,但根的可溶性糖淀粉比值最低值出现在林冠层(0.79).3个林层NSC及其组分均存在显著的季节性变化,可溶性糖及可溶性糖淀粉比均为雨季显著高于旱季,而淀粉和NSC浓度则均在旱季中较高.不同林层NSC及其组分浓度的差异反映了不同高度树种碳利用策略的差异,部分地解释了物种的共存机制.     

Food reserves of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Summary The amounts of starch, soluble sugars, triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols and free fatty acids were studied in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) during an annual cycle in current-year needles and in 1-, 2- and 3-year-old needles collected shortly after bud break. Determination of the compounds was performed using specific enzymatic assays, capillary gas chromatography and thin layer chromatography. Newly emerging needles contained relatively large amounts of starch, but only trace amounts of fat. During autumn and winter, fat content rose, while starch content decreased; amounts of both these reserve materials were very high the next spring shortly before bud break and decreased again during shoot elongation. Concentration of intermediates in triacylglycerol biosynthesis (diacylglycerols and free fatty acids), were low in summer and high in winter. The same pattern was observed for fructose and glucose (the predominant soluble sugars), galactose/arabinose and raffinose/melibiose. In contrast, sucrose concentrations were highest in spring and in autumn. Mature needles of different ages collected in May showed significant differences only in their triacylglycerol and starch content. Concentration changes of reserve materials are discussed in relation to season, mobilization and translocation processes, dormancy, frost resistance and the possibility of carbohydrate-fat interconversions.     

Auxin and gibberellin effects on cell growth and starch during abscission in cotton

An increase in starch content of cells in the abscission zone of the cotton explant appeared correlated with an increase in number of cells. A large increase in the number of cells in the abscission zone, concomitant with an increase in starch content, followed treatment with gibberellin as compared to auxin. In the final stages of abscission starch was hydrolyzed in the cells of the separation layer. Some starch remained after the petiole abscised.

A positive phloroglucinol-hydrochloric acid reaction in the cells of the petiole distal to the line of separation indicated the presence, not of lignin, but of soluble sugars and uronic acids. This reaction was especially intense following gibberellic acid treatment.

It was concluded that gibberellin in accelerating abscission leads to (1) an increase in cell number and starch content in the abscission zone, (2) the hydrolysis of starch in the separation layer just before abscission, and (3) the breakdown of polysaccharides and the release of soluble sugars and uronic acids. Auxin, an abscission retardant, either delays or prevents these events.

     

Response of Fine Root Carbohydrate Content to Soil Nitrogen Addition and Its Relationship with Soil Factors in a Schrenk (Picea schrenkiana) Forest

Fine roots are vital for water and nutrient uptake in plants. Understanding the responses of metabolic traits to changing environmental conditions is critical, but little is known. In this study, the carbohydrate content of fine roots was characterized for six soil layers and three diameter classes in a Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forest on the Tianshan Mountains of China. Soil nitrogen addition can influence carbohydrate content, but the degree is related to soil layer and fine root diameter. Specifically, as nitrogen (N) levels increased, the soluble sugar, cellulose, lignin and structural carbohydrate content (SC) all increased and then decreased; the starch and non-structural carbohydrate content (NSC) decreased gradually. In addition, N addition had significant effects on starch and cellulose content, as well as total carbohydrates. The interaction between root diameter and N addition also influenced soluble sugars, cellulose and NSC, while the three-way interaction among N addition, soil layer and diameter only affected cellulose content and NSC/SC. In the control treatment (no nitrogen addition), the following soil factors influenced fine root metabolism in order of decreasing importance: C:N, C:P, N:P, C, N, water content, bulk density, pH, conductivity, and P. In the N addition treatments, the soil conductivity, pH, and N content were strongly correlated with root metabolic characteristics.

     

The partitioning of carbohydrates and the biomass of leaves in Populus tremula L . canopy

 This study was aimed at making a quantitative evaluation of the biomass, carbohydrates and mineral nutrients partitioning in the canopy of aspen (Populus tremula L.) growing in a forest stand. Tree canopy biomass was divided into ten equal horizontal layers and the material for the study was sampled from all canopy layers. The results indicated that the specific leaf mass and the dry matter content increased but the area of leaves decreased toward the top of the canopy. The content of the non-structural carbohydrates depended largely on the position of the leaves in the canopy and the N, P and K contents in the leaves, reaching a maximum in the upper canopy layers better exposed to light. Regression analysis showed a linear relationship between the leaf mass per area and the percentage of dry matter on the one hand and the content of carbohydrates, N, P and K in the canopy on the other. Received: 11 March 1997 / Accepted: 16 June 1997     

沿干旱梯度樟子松人工林针叶和枝条非结构性碳水化合物及氮含量的变化

选取沿内蒙古科尔沁沙地自然干旱梯度分布的6个樟子松人工林样点(辉南、西丰、付家、章古台、奈曼和乌兰敖都)为研究对象,测定当年生和1年生针叶和枝条中非结构性碳水化合物(NSCs)和氮(N)含量的变化,以探究干旱条件下樟子松的碳供需状态和养分贮存策略。结果表明: 随干旱加剧,樟子松针叶和枝条中的NSCs和可溶性糖含量显著降低。从最湿润样点(辉南)到最干旱样点(乌兰敖都),樟子松当年生和1年生针叶中可溶性糖含量分别由12.8%和12.5%下降到9.0%和9.5%,而当年生枝条中可溶性糖含量由15.6%下降到9.2%。随干旱加剧,樟子松针叶和枝条中淀粉含量变化不显著,当年生和1年生针叶可溶性糖和淀粉的比值降低,当年生和1年生枝条中N含量显著增加。科尔沁沙地樟子松在干旱条件下显著消耗可溶性糖存储,存在“碳饥饿”致死风险。樟子松倾向维持稳定的淀粉含量以及在枝条中积累N以应对长期的干旱胁迫。     

干旱对兴安落叶松枝叶非结构性碳水化合物的影响

降水格局的变化以及极端干旱的频繁发生是全球气候变化的重要特征之一。为了揭示干旱对树木碳代谢的影响,通过控雨试验研究兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii Rupr.)枝叶的非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)及其组分(可溶性糖和淀粉)的浓度对降水减少的响应,探索枝叶NSC浓度与土壤含水率的关系。控雨试验包括减雨100%(100%RE)、减雨50%(50%RE)和对照(CK)3个处理;控雨时期为2012年生长季(6月至8月)。结果表明,叶NSC浓度对干旱处理的响应比枝更显著。控雨处理对枝叶总NSC浓度影响不显著(P0.05),试验期间叶总NSC平均浓度变化在9.45—14.12 mg/g范围内;枝总NSC平均浓度变化在7.72—9.26 mg/g之间。然而,不同处理之间的叶片可溶性糖浓度差异显著。100%RE最高(8.98±0.31)mg/g、50%RE次之(8.45±0.13)mg/g、CK最低(7.73±0.32)mg/g。相反,叶淀粉浓度以CK最高(2.99±0.22)mg/g、50%RE次之(2.68±0.32)mg/g、100%RE最低(2.63±0.17)mg/g。叶可溶性糖与淀粉浓度的比值的大小顺序为:CK(2.27)50%RE(2.51)100%RE(3.70)。叶可溶性糖浓度、可溶性糖浓度和淀粉浓度的比值与土壤含水率呈显著的负相关关系(P0.05),而叶淀粉浓度有随土壤含水率升高而增高趋势,但相关关系不显著(P0.05)。叶NSC总浓度、枝NSC及其组分浓度与土壤含水率的关系均不显著(P0.05)。研究表明,短期干旱对兴安落叶松树体内总NSC浓度的影响不显著,树木可以通过将淀粉转化成可溶性糖的方式维持其正常的呼吸作用等生理活动。     

沙地樟子松幼苗干旱致死过程中非结构性碳水化合物的变化

以2年生沙地樟子松幼苗为对象,通过持续自然干旱处理,研究当土壤含水量下降到田间持水量的60%、40%、30%、20%和15%时幼苗叶片水势及不同器官(一年生叶、当年生叶、茎、粗根和细根)的可溶性糖、淀粉和非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)的含量,分析沙地樟子松幼苗在干旱致死过程中各器官NSC的分配规律及其适应机制.结果表明: 土壤含水量从田间持水量的40%下降到15%,幼苗叶片凌晨及正午水势无显著变化.当土壤含水量从田间持水量的60%下降到30%,各器官可溶性糖、淀粉、NSC含量和可溶性糖/淀粉先下降后上升.从30%下降到20%,当年生叶、一年生叶、茎和细根可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量降低,而粗根可溶性糖含量增加,淀粉和NSC含量减少.从20%下降到15%,当年生叶、一年生叶和茎可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量降低,粗根可溶性糖和NSC含量下降,淀粉含量上升,细根可溶性糖含量减少,淀粉和NSC含量增加.沙地樟子松幼苗通过不断调整各器官NSC及其组分含量变化以适应不同干旱环境,土壤含水量下降到田间持水量的30%后,幼苗可溶性糖和NSC含量总体呈下降趋势,淀粉在粗根和细根中积累,幼苗可能因碳耗竭而死亡.     

Expression of E. coli inorganic pyrophosphatase in transgenic plants alters photoassimilate partitioning

Transgenic plants were constructed expressing a novel cytosolic inorganic pyrophosphatase in order to reduce the cytosolic pyrophosphate content. To this end the Escherichia coli gene ppa encoding inorganic pyrophosphatase was cloned between the 35S CaMV promoter and the poly(A) site of the octopine synthase gene and transferred into tobacco and potato plants by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. Regenerated plants were tested for the expression of the ppa gene by Northern blots and activity gels. Plants expressing active inorganic pyrophosphatase showed a dramatic change in photoassimilate partitioning. In both transgenic tobacco and potato plants the ratio between soluble sugars and starch was increased by about 3-4-fold in source leaves as compared with the wild-type. However, whereas source leaves of transgenic tobacco plants accumulated much higher levels of glucose (up to 68-fold), fructose (up to 24-fold), sucrose (up to 12-fold) and starch (up to 8-fold) this was not observed in potato plants where the change in assimilate partitioning in source leaves was due to an increase of about 2-fold in sucrose and a reduction in starch content. Expression of the cytosolic inorganic pyrophosphatase in tobacco results in stunted growth of vegetatively growing plants due to a reduced internode distance. Upon flowering the transgenic plants increase their growth rate, reaching almost the same height as control plants at the end of the growth period. Old source leaves accumulate up to 100-fold more soluble sugars than control leaves. This increase in soluble sugars is accompanied by a reduction in chlorophyll content (up to 85%). Transgenic potato plants showed a less dramatic change in their growth behaviour. Plants were slightly reduced in size, with stems more highly branched. Tuber number increased 2-3-fold, but tuber weight was lower resulting in no net increase in fresh weight.     

中国东北典型森林生态系统植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物研究

植物叶片的非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)不仅可以反应植物的碳供应状况,也能反应植物对外界环境的适应策略。利用传统的蒽酮比色法测定了东北3个典型森林生态系统(呼中、凉水和长白山)242种常见植物叶片的非结构碳水化合物,探讨了温带主要森林植物叶片NSC沿纬度梯度的变化趋势及其在物种-生活型-群落间的分布规律。实验结果表明:3个典型森林生态系统植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量均呈偏正态分布,多数物种的含量偏中低水平;242种植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC的平均含量分别为63.31、65.66和128.96 mg/g。在所调查的森林生态系统中,叶片可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量在不同生活型中表现各异。此外,乔木植物叶片的可溶性糖、淀粉和NSC含量从北到南呈递增趋势,呼中最低,凉水次之,长白山最高。乔木淀粉含量均表现为落叶树种大于常绿树种,可溶性糖和NSC含量变化趋势复杂。研究结果不仅为阐明东北主要森林生态系统植被碳代谢和生长适应对策提供数据基础,而且对理解植物对未来气候变化的响应机理提供数据支撑。     

Evergreen Foliage Contributions to the Spring Growth of Taxus

Taxus media cv. Hicksii plants were grown one season under a low and high level of nitrogen fertilization. Before growth in the spring the plants were divided into two groups, one of which was defoliated and the other left intact. The growth and spring utilization of the nitrogen and carbohydrate reserves of defoliated plants were compared to the intact plants 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after growth started in the spring. The plants were separated into buds (all new growth), roots and stems and analyzed for changes in total nitrogen, basic and non-basic amino acids, hemicelluloses, soluble sugars, organic acids and chlorophyll. The older evergreen needles from plants grown under low nitrogen levels contain 20 % of the carbohydrate and 24% of the nitrogen used in spring growth. The needles from plants grown under high nitrogen levels contained 56% of the carbohydrate and 49% of the nitrogen used in spring growth. Removal of the old needles before spring growth removed this nitrogen and carbohydrate reserve and reduced the total plant chlorophyll content after 6 weeks of growth to 50% of that found in intact plants, with the result that defoliated plants did not show a growth response to nitrogen. Amino acids accumulated in the stems and buds of defoliated plants as carbohydrates became limiting. The defoliated plants removed 25% more available carbohydrates from the roots and stems than intact plants and their buds contained 50% less available carbohydrates. Plants without old needles showed similar growth rates under low and high nitrogen regimes and produced 33% of the dry weight of intact plants grown under high nitrogen levels and 66% of the dry weight of intact plants grown under low nitrogen levels. The old needles of taxus plants contain substantial amounts of reserve nitrogen and carbohydrate and these needles greatly influence the extent and rapidness of growth in the spring. When the needles are removed, the other tissues can supply an adequate amount of nitrogen but the carbohydrate supply becomes limiting for spring growth.     

Studies on the Biochemical Basis of Physiological Processes in the Potato Tuber: CHANGES IN CARBOHYDRATES IN THE SPROUTING TUBER

Analyses of the changes in starch and soluble sugars in sproutingpotatoes show that when a single terminal sprout grows it drawsupon the carbohydrates in every part of the tuber simultaneously;there appears to be no induced concentration gradients of thesecompounds through the tuber even though the starch content iseventually reduced to zero.     

Sucrose and starch catabolism in the anther of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium</Emphasis> during its development: a comparative study among the anther wall,locular fluid and microspore/pollen fractions

In order to better understand the various pathways of sucrose and starch catabolism in the anther of lily (Lilium hybrida var. “Enchantment”), invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and amylase (EC 3.2.1.1, EC 3.2.1.2) activities were measured separately in different fractions (anther wall, locular fluid and microspore/pollen) and correlated with the sugar content during anther development. Our findings showed significant differences among the fractions analyzed, suggesting that the regulation of sucrose and starch catabolism could follow distinct pathways in each fraction. Glucose and fructose amounts progressively decreased from anther wall to fluid and from fluid to microspore/pollen. Thus, the developing pollen could act as a sink for the carbohydrates that reach the anther. In this sense, cell wall-bound invertases seem to play a major role in soluble sugar partitioning in the different fractions of the anther. Sucrose concentration was found to be substantially higher in the locular fluid than in the other fractions, indicating a probable site for storage. On the other hand, the anther wall tissues could have a buffering function, storing nutrient surplus in starch grains and thus regulating the availability of soluble sugars in the whole anther. All these results proved the advantages of the experimental model proposed here, as well as its usefulness to investigate sugar metabolism in Lilium anthers.     

Genotypic Differences in the Production and Partitioning of Carbohydrates Between Roots and Shoots of Wheat Grown under Zinc or Manganese Deficiency

The partitioning of soluble carbohydrates and starch betweenroots and shoots was investigated in wheat genotypes differingin Zn or Mn efficiency. The plants were grown for 11 d in achelate-buffered nutrient solution with sufficient or deficientZn and Mn supply. The Zn-efficient cultivar Warigal had a greatershoot fresh weight under sufficient Zn compared with the Zn-inefficientcultivar Durati. When supplied with sufficient Zn, Warigal hada greater concentration and content of soluble carbohydratesin roots and shoots in comparison with Durati. Under deficientZn supply, Durati had a greater concentration and content ofstarch in roots and shoots compared with Warigal. In an experimentwith varying supply of Mn, the Mn-efficient genotype C8MM hada greater shoot fresh weight than the Mn-inefficient cultivarBayonet under sufficient or deficient Mn supply. The concentrationof soluble carbohydrates in roots and shoots was decreased bydeficient Mn supply in C8MM but not in Bayonet. Starch accumulatedin the roots of Bayonet under deficient Mn supply. The resultssuggest that synthesis of carbohydrates is decreased under Zndeficiency, while they are preferentially partitioned to theroots to increase growth and thus the surface area availablefor Zn uptake. In the case of Mn deficiency, carbohydrate productionwas limited, but partitioning between roots and shoots was notaltered.Copyright 1997 Annals of Botany Company Carbohydrate; deficiency; manganese; assimilate partitioning; starch; Triticum aestivum; zinc     

High temporal resolution tracing of photosynthate carbon from the tree canopy to forest soil microorganisms

Half of the biological activity in forest soils is supported by recent tree photosynthate, but no study has traced in detail this flux of carbon from the canopy to soil microorganisms in the field. Using (13)CO(2), we pulse-labelled over 1.5 h a 50-m(2) patch of 4-m-tall boreal Pinus sylvestris forest in a 200-m(3) chamber. Tracer levels peaked after 24 h in soluble carbohydrates in the phloem at a height of 0.3 m, after 2-4 d in soil respiratory efflux, after 4-7 d in ectomycorrhizal roots, and after 2-4 d in soil microbial cytoplasm. Carbon in the active pool in needles, in soluble carbohydrates in phloem and in soil respiratory efflux had half-lives of 22, 17 and 35 h, respectively. Carbon in soil microbial cytoplasm had a half-life of 280 h, while the carbon in ectomycorrhizal root tips turned over much more slowly. Simultaneous labelling of the soil with (15)NH(+)(4) showed that the ectomycorrhizal roots, which were the strongest sinks for photosynthate, were also the most active sinks for soil nitrogen. These observations highlight the close temporal coupling between tree canopy photosynthesis and a significant fraction of soil activity in forests.     

Significance of ozone exposure for inter-annual differences in primary metabolites of old-growth beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) trees in a mixed forest stand

The influence of long-term free-air ozone fumigation and canopy position on leaf contents of total glutathione, its redox state, non-structural proteins (NSP), soluble amino compounds, and total soluble sugars in old-growth beech (FAGUS SYLVATICA) and spruce (PICEA ABIES) trees were determined over a period of five years. Ozone fumigation had weak effects on the analysed metabolites of both tree species and significant changes in the contents of total glutathione, NSP, and soluble sugars were observed only selectively. Beech leaves were affected by crown position to a higher extent than spruce needles and exhibited lower contents of total glutathione and NSP and total soluble sugars, but enhanced contents of oxidised glutathione and amino compounds in the shade compared to the sun crown. Contents of total soluble sugars generally were decreased in shade compared to sun needles of spruce trees. Interspecific differences between beech and spruce were more distinct in the sun compared to the shade crown. Contents of total glutathione were increased whilst contents of amino compounds and total soluble sugars were lower in spruce needles compared to beech leaves. The metabolites determined showed individual patterns in the course of the five measurement years. Contents of total glutathione and its redox state correlated with air temperature and global radiation, indicating an important role for the antioxidant at low temperatures. Correlations of glutathione with instantaneous ozone concentrations seem to be a secondary effect. Differences in proteins and/or amino compounds in the inter-annual course are assumed to be a consequence of alterations in specific N uptake rates.     

热带季节雨林多花白头树年内径向生长动态及其对环境因子的响应

为了解热带地区树木的季节性生长动态和规律,在西双版纳热带季节雨林利用高精度生长仪和微树芯法对落叶树种多花白头树的径向生长季节动态进行监测。结合木质部非结构性碳水化合物和环境因子的监测,分析其形成层活动和径向季节动态的生理生态驱动因子。结果表明: 在2020年,生长仪的监测显示,多花白头树于5月底(儒略日DOY:149.3±7.2)开始生长,8月底(DOY:241.0±14.7)生长结束,年生长量为3.12 mm,最大生长速率为0.04 mm·d^-1。而微树芯法显示,扩大细胞3月9日(DOY:69.2±6.2)开始出现,9月19日(DOY:262.8±2.8)细胞加厚结束,木质部生长量为1.76 mm,最大生长速率为0.009 mm·d^-1。多花白头树径向日生长量与生长季的降水、相对湿度、日最低气温、深度为20 cm的土壤含水量和温度呈显著正相关,而与日最高气温、水汽压亏缺、最大风速和水汽压呈显著负相关。多花白头树边材淀粉含量和可溶性糖含量均在生长季开始之前保持较高水平,淀粉含量在3月底达到最低,而可溶性糖含量5月中旬达到最低,随着生长季的结束淀粉和可溶性糖的含量分别在10月中旬和12月底达到最高。     

施肥对大棚甜椒品质的影响

对塑料大棚栽培的甜椒进行滴灌施肥,研究不同用量的氮磷钾肥料对甜椒品质的影响,结果表明,侧枝是甜椒硝态氮的敏感反应部位,且含量最高,叶片次之,果实最少,高量施肥对甜椒果实的硝态氮与可溶性糖含量没有产生不良影响,果实是甜椒糖分的主要贮存器官,其可溶性总糖含量在50%-55%范围内,高于叶片和侧枝,施肥量减少,果实中肌醇和蔗糖的含量增加,葡萄糖与果糖是甜椒果实主要的可溶性糖类,高量施肥削弱叶片的C素代谢作用,表现为抑制同化物淀粉在叶片的积累,粗淀粉在果实中的含量最高,叶片脂类含量均超过侧枝和果实3-4倍以上,可能是由于叶片中叶绿素含量高所致。     

Occurrence of mono- or disaccharides and polysaccharide reserves in mature pollen grains

 Pollen from 13 species of gymnosperms and angiosperms was studied for soluble and insoluble carbohydrates at dispersal. Starch reserves stored during pollen development give rise to carbohydrates at maturity. Combinations of different types of carbohydrates in mature pollen may depend on the extent of starch hydrolysis. An inverse relationship was found between the extent of starch hydrolysis and sucrose content. If the starch was scarcely de-polymerized, the cytoplasm had very low levels of soluble sugars and none of the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material as found in pollen not subject to high dehydration (Cucurbita pepo L., Zea mays L.). After total or partial starch hydrolysis, insoluble PAS-positive oligo/polysaccharides were found in the cytoplasm associated with much soluble sugar, and the pollen grains were dehydrated at dispersal as in Typha latifolia L., Chamaerops humilis L., Trachycarpus excelsa Wendl., and other specimens. Intermediate levels of starch and soluble sugars, together with cytoplasmic PAS-positive material, characterized species with dehydrated pollen such as Pinus halepensis Miller. Carbohydrates may be related to pollen longevity, which largely depends on the abundance of sucrose, which is known to protect membrane integrity. The relationship between PAS-positive material and pollen viability is unclear at present. Received: 30 July 1996 / Revision accepted: 18 December 1996