THE ABSORPTION AND TRANSLOCATION OF C14-LABELED PROTEINS IN YOUNG TOMATO PLANTS

The uptake of C¹⁴-labeled proteins (lysozyme, hemoglobin, lactoglobulin, and ovalbumin) from solution by tomato plants with sterile roots was studied. It was found that C¹⁴-compounds (proteins and/or protein-degradation products) were translocated to the foliage if the roots had undergone minor mechanical injury or if the plants were subjected to temporary wilting, i.e., physiological damage. C¹⁴-lysozyme was not transported to foliar tissue in healthy plants; C¹⁴-hemoglobin showed radioactivity in leaves of both healthy and injured plants, but there was evidence of a breakdown of the molecule; C¹⁴-ovalbumin gave a faint labeling of foliar tissues of some plants in which wilting or mechanical damage was below the threshold of detection. It is concluded, however, that translocation of proteins from roots in nutrient solution to tomato leaves does not occur in significant amounts in healthy plants in spite of the large uptake of proteins by root cortex, as found in earlier studies.     

Degradation of the Fungicide Denmert® (S-n-Butyl S′-p-tert-Butylbenzyl N-3-Pyridyldithiocarbonimidate,S-1358) by Plants,Soils and Light

¹⁴C-Denmert(S-n-butyl S′-p-tert-butylbenzyl N-3-pyridyldithiocarbonimidate, S–1358) labeled at the methylene of the benzyl group was gradually decomposed to yield a number of products, when exposed to sunlight on thin-layer plates or in water solution, applied to plant foliage or nutrient solution, and added to soils under upland conditions. The identified products were almost common to plants, soils and light. The primary reactions occurred: (1), oxidation of the sulfur atoms; (2), cleavage of the dithiocarbonimidate linkage, and (3), oxidation of the methylene of the benzyl group. Also, hydroxylation at the tert-butyl group attached to the benzyl moiety slightly took place in soils. Although radioactivity was absorbed by the plant through leaves or roots, translocation into other parts of the plant occurred to a very small extent. Denmert and its degradation products were hardly leached through the acidic soils tested.     

Uptake and Translocation of Benthiocarb Herbicide by Plants

The uptake and translocation of ¹⁴C-benthiocarb labelled at benzyl methylene by rice plant, bamyardgrass, wild amaranth, smart weed and lambsquarters were investigated, ¹⁴C-Benthiocarb was absorbed through the roots and the radioactivity was translocated into whole plants. The rate of absorption and translocation varied by the kind of plants. The translocation was occurred not only from roots into leaves, but from a leaf into other leaves, and even into roots of some kinds of plant. The absorption and translocation was more easy in barnyard-grass than in rice plant. Benthiocarb was rapidly absorbed by seeds and accumulated mostly in the embryo. The uptake of benthiocarb by seedlings decreased with the order of mesocotyl (bamyardgrass only), coleoptyl, root and leaf. Benthiocarb was degraded rapidly in plants.     

LOSS OF GIBBERELLINS BY LEACHING FROM STEMS AND FOLIAGE OF CHRYSANTHEMUM MORIFOLIUM ‘PRINCESS ANNE’

Structurally complex metabolites such as carbohydrates, organic acids, and amino acids are leached from plants by rain and dew. Applied GA₃ (1 mg/ml) absorbed by a 5-cm stem segment of Chrysanthemum morifolium and translocated to a single attached leaf was leached from the leaf with distilled water. To detect endogenous gibberellins in plant leachates, Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Princess Anne’ plants were leached under 8-hr and 18-hr photoperiods. The leachates were collected and extracted at pH 8.2 with methylene chloride to*** remove inhibitors and at pH 3.0 to remove gibberellins. The extract containing the gibberellins was fractionated on a silica gel column by an eluting phase of 0 to 100% ethyl acetate-n-hexane solutions. The presence of gibberellin-like substances was confirmed by their elution pattern from the silica gel column and by two bioassays, the lettuce hypocotyl and the Rumex bioassays. The results suggest that substances similar to GA_1–3 and GA₅ were leached from plants growing under an 18-hr photoperiod. The leachate from plants growing under an 8-hr photoperiod contained gibberellin-like substances similar to GA_1–3 and GA₆.     

Influence of gibberellic acid on <Superscript>14</Superscript>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> metabolism,growth, and production of alkaloids in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Catharanthus roseus</Emphasis>

Changes in growth parameters, carbon assimilation efficiency, and utilization of ¹⁴CO₂ assimilate into alkaloids in plant parts were investigated at whole plant level by treatment of Catharanthus roseus with gibberellic acid (GA). Application of GA (1 000 g m⁻³) resulted in changes in leaf morphology, increase in stem elongation, leaf and internode length, plant height, and decrease in biomass content. Phenotypic changes were accompanied by decrease in contents of chlorophylls and in photosynthetic capacity. GA application resulted in higher % of total alkaloids accumulated in leaf, stem, and root. GA treatment produced negative phenotypic response in total biomass production but positive response in content of total alkaloids in leaf, stem, and roots. ¹⁴C assimilate partitioning revealed that ¹⁴C distribution in leaf, stem, and root of treated plants was higher than in untreated and variations were observed in contents of metabolites as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. Capacity to utilize current fixed ¹⁴C derived assimilates for alkaloid production was high in leaves but low in roots of treated plants despite higher content of ¹⁴C metabolites such as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids. In spite of higher availability of metabolites, their utilization into alkaloid production is low in GA-treated roots.     

Watermelon seedling growth and mortality as affected by Anasa tristis (Heteroptera: Coreidae)

Adult squash bugs, Anasa tristis (De Geer), were confined on seedling watermelon plants at densities of zero, one, two, and four per plant. Squash bugs were allowed to feed on the plants until plants died or reached 30 cm in height. Number of leaves and length of plant vine were recorded at 2- or 3-d intervals. Seedling foliage, stems, and roots were harvested and dried after plants reached 30 cm in height. Growth of seedlings was regressed on number of squash bugs and results indicated that an increasing density of squash bugs feeding on seedlings resulted in a significant reduction in plant growth. Additionally, increased density of squash bugs resulted in reduced weight of foliage and root dry biomass. Seedling mortality increased as the density of squash bugs increased.     

Leaching of the allelopathic substance, -tryptophan from the foliage of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.) plants by water spraying

The allelopathic potential of -tryptophan in the leachate from the foliage of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.) plants was investigated. Distilled water (500 ml) was sprayed on mesquite plants from above for 50 min and water passing through the foliage was collected. The content of -tryptophan in the sample (30 ml eq.) was analyzed using a physicochemical method and the concentration was shown to be 17.9 µM. The sample (30 ml eq.) caused 69.8% inhibition of the root growth of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli L.). The concentration of authentic -tryptophan required for 69.8% inhibition of the root growth of barnyard grass was estimated at 20.0 µM from the dose-response curve. Moreover, to establish the origin of -tryptophan in the leachate, the amount of -tryptophan in both the leaves and the leachates was determined. The amount of -tryptophan containing in the foliage significantly decreased by soaking with time, whereas in the leachates the amount increased. After 60 min, its content in the leachates was nearly equivalent to that of the leaves. These results suggest that -tryptophan leached from the foliage may play an important role in the allelopathy imposed by mesquite.     

Partitioning of 14C-Photosynthate of Leaves in Roots,Rhizome, and in Essential Oil and Curcumin in Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Incorporation of photosynthetically fixed ¹⁴C was studied at different time intervals of 12, 24, and 36 h in various plant parts—leaf 1 to 4 from apex, roots, and rhizome—into primary metabolites—sugars, amino acids, and organic acids, and secondary metabolites—essential oil and curcumin—in turmeric. The youngest leaves were most active in fixing ¹⁴C at 24 h. Fixation capacity into primary metabolites decreased with leaf position and time. The primary metabolite levels in leaves were maximal in sugars and organic acids and lowest in amino acids. Roots as well as rhizome received maximum photoassimilate from leaves at 24 h; this declined with time. The maximum metabolite concentrations in the roots and rhizome were high in sugars and organic acids and least in amino acids. ¹⁴C incorporation into oil in leaf and into curcumin in rhizome was maximal at 24 h and declined with time. These studies highlight importance of time-dependent translocation of ¹⁴C-primary metabolites from leaves to roots and rhizome and their subsequent biosynthesis into secondary metabolite, curcumin, in rhizome. This might be one of factors regulating the secondary metabolite accumulation and rhizome development.     

Fissazione di C14O2 in Colture di Tessuti Vegetali « in Vitro »

Abstract

C¹⁴O₂ fixation in plant tissues « in vitro ». — In the present work it has been examinated the autotrophic and heterotrophic CO₂ fixation of explants of « Helianthus tuberosus » « in vitro » and the photosyntetic efficiency of leaves produced from buds of « in vitro » explants of « Cichorium intybus » compared with that of mature leaves from normal plants of the same species. From our results it is evident that « in vitro » explants of « Helianthus tuberosus », grown, in the light, are able to autotrophically incorporate C¹⁴O₂; the distribution of the radioactivity into the various fractions shows a large influence of the light on the neutral fraction containing sugars (50% of the total radioactivity). In the chlorophyllous explants the dark CO₂ fixation is obviously of heterotrophic type: 97% of the total radioactivity is incorporated in amine acids (43%) and the organic acids (53%); on the other hand in the dark grown explants the radioactivity is differently distributed between amino acids (59%) and organic acids (39%). Mature leaves from normal plants and leaves produced from buds of « in vitro » explants of « Cichorium intybus » incorporate the same quantity of C¹⁴O₂ when expressed per mg of chlorophyll; the different distribution of the radioactivity in the neutral and acid fractions could be explained in terms of a different utilization pathway of the photosynthates in the two tissues.     

Retention and allocation of <Superscript>14</Superscript>C assimilates by maintenance leaves and harvest index of tea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis> L.)

Partitioning of ¹⁴C-labelled photosynthates to various parts of un-pruned tea clones TV1 and TV25 was assessed in vivo by exposing maintenance leaves to ¹⁴CO₂ at monthly intervals throughout the year. The plants from shoot apex to root tip were divided into twelve components to assess the allocation and retention of ¹⁴C-photosynthates by the maintenance foliage. Out of the total photosynthates produced by the maintenance leaves, only 11.08 % was allocated to the commercially useful harvestable two and a bud shoots which is accepted as the harvest index of tea. The photosynthetically active maintenance leaves retained 19.05 % while 24.56 % was distributed to the branches. The bottom and the top parts of the trunk utilized 7.44 and 7.21 %, respectively. The thick roots at the base of the trunk, medium sized roots, pencil size roots, and feeder roots imported 7.28, 7.72, 7.65, and 8.01 % of ¹⁴C assimilates, respectively. Except retention by leaves, all the plant parts of vigorous clone TV25 required higher percentage of assimilates than TV1. The mean quantities of net photosynthates utilized by the stem and the roots were 69.37 and 30.63 %, respectively.     

The Metabolism of the Germinating Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Seedling : In Vivo Studies

The metabolism of ¹⁴C-labeled fatty acids and triacylglycerols was followed in intact germinating oil palm seedlings as well as in tissue slices. In the germinating seedling, the shoot contained a normal pattern of membrane fatty acids (mainly C₁₆, C_18:1, C_18:2) but the kernel contained about 68% C₁₂ and C₁₄ fatty acids. Haustorium fatty acids were intermediate between the two. [¹⁴C]Acetate was actively metabolized by shoot and haustorium slices but not so actively by the kernel. Approximately 9% to 17% was converted to water-soluble substances, 4% to 6% to CO₂, and 0.5% to 5.9% to lipids. The fatty acids synthesized in the shoot and haustorium were mainly C₁₆, C₁₈, and C_18:1 fatty acids but in the kernel about 18% to 32% of the ¹⁴C-fatty acids were C₁₂ fatty acids.

[¹⁴C]Lauric acid was absorbed and metabolized by haustorium slices and by the haustorium in intact seedlings; it was partly esterified to triacylglycerols and also converted to water-soluble substances and insoluble tissue material. In contrast, tri-[¹⁴C]laurin was absorbed but not metabolized. The haustorium also absorbed other fatty acids but the longer chain (C₁₆ and C₁₈) fatty acids were not esterified or metabolized further. Preincubation of the haustorium with plant hormones or in the presence of kernel tissue did not alter its inactivity towards tri-[¹⁴C]laurin.

When tri-[¹⁴C]laurin or [¹⁴C]lauric acid were injected into the seed or the shoot, there was no movement or radioactivity to other parts of the seedling. When injected into the shoot, but not into the seed, tri-[¹⁴C] laurin was hydrolyzed and partly metabolized to water-soluble substances.

     

Utilization of exogenously supplied 14C-saccharose into primary metabolites and alkaloid production in Catharanthus roseus

Partitioning of exogenously supplied U-¹⁴C-saccharose into primary metabolic pool as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids was analyzed and simultaneous utilization for production of alkaloid by leaf, stem, and root in twigs and rooted plants of Catharanthus roseus grown in hydroponic culture medium was determined. Twigs revealed comparable distribution of total ¹⁴C label in leaf and stem. Stems contained significantly higher ¹⁴C label in sugar fraction and in alkaloids [47 kBq kg⁻¹(DM)] than leaf. In rooted plants, label in ¹⁴C in metabolic fractions in root such as ethanol-soluble, ethanol-insoluble, and chloroform-soluble fractions and in components such as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids were significantly higher than in stems and leaves. This was related with significantly higher content of ¹⁴C in alkaloids in stems and leaves. ¹⁴C contents in sugars, amino acids, and organic acids increased from leaf to stem and roots. Roots are the major accumulators of metabolites accompanied by higher biosynthetic utilization for alkaloid accumulation.     

First flowering hybrid between autotrophic and mycoheterotrophic plant species: breakthrough in molecular biology of mycoheterotrophy

Among land plants, which generally exhibit autotrophy through photosynthesis, about 880 species are mycoheterotrophs, dependent on mycorrhizal fungi for their carbon supply. Shifts in nutritional mode from autotrophy to mycoheterotrophy are usually accompanied by evolution of various combinations of characters related to structure and physiology, e.g., loss of foliage leaves and roots, reduction in seed size, degradation of plastid genome, and changes in mycorrhizal association and pollination strategy. However, the patterns and processes involved in such alterations are generally unknown. Hybrids between autotrophic and mycoheterotrophic plants may provide a breakthrough in molecular studies on the evolution of mycoheterotrophy. We have produced the first hybrid between autotrophic and mycoheterotrophic plant species using the orchid group Cymbidium. The autotrophic Cymbidium ensifolium subsp. haematodes and mycoheterotrophic C. macrorhizon were artificially pollinated, and aseptic germination of the hybrid seeds obtained was promoted by sonication. In vitro flowering was observed five years after seed sowing. Development of foliage leaves, an important character for photosynthesis, segregated in the first generation; that is, some individuals only developed scale leaves on the rhizome and flowering stems. However, all of the flowering plants formed roots, which is identical to the maternal parent.     

Significance of organic nitrogen acquisition for dominant plant species in an alpine meadow on the Tibet plateau, China

Though the potential of plants to take up organic N (e.g., amino acids) is well established, the true significance of organic N acquisition to plant N nutrition has not yet been quantified under field conditions. Here we demonstrate that organic N contributes significantly to the annual N uptake of three dominant plant species (Kobresia humilis, Saussurea superba and Stipa aliena) of alpine meadows on the Tibet Plateau, China. This was achieved by using double-labelled (¹⁴C and ¹⁵N) algae as a source for slow and continuous release of amino acids, and tracing both labels in the above- and below-ground plant biomass. Four months after addition of algae, between 0.5% and 2.6% of ¹⁴C and 5% and 14% of ¹⁵N from added algae were recovered in the plants, which translate into an uptake of organic N between 0.3 mg N m⁻² and 1.5 mg N m⁻². The calculated contribution of organic N to total N uptake was estimated to range between 21% and 35% for K. humilis, and between 13% and 21% for S. aliena and S. superba, respectively, implying that organic N uptake by grassland plants is quantitatively significant under field conditions in the studied alpine meadows. This finding has important ecological implications with regard to competition for organic N between microorganisms and plant roots.     

Can cutin and suberin biomarkers be used to trace shoot and root-derived organic matter? A molecular and isotopic approach

Cutins of plant shoots and suberins, mostly present in roots could contribute to significant portions of stable soil organic matter. Their biomarker potential, residing in their unique compositions in different plant types, has been used previously to infer sources of organic matter in sediments. These aliphatic plant biopolyesters contain specific biomarkers, which may be used for tracing their fate in soils and sediments, when combined with stable ¹³C isotope labelling. In order to evaluate the potential use of cutin and suberin biomarkers as indicators of shoot and root contributions from C₃ and C₄ plant origins, the objectives of this study were to 1) identify their constitutive monomers, which are specific for shoots and roots of maize (C₄) and wheat (C₃); 2) evaluate the ¹³C differences between maize and wheat biomarkers. Mid-chain hydroxy carboxylic acids were mainly found in the aboveground biomass, while α,ω-alkanedioic acids were only present in the roots. The differences in the isotopic composition of the specific monomers between wheat and maize plants (17–18‰ for shoot markers, 19‰ for root markers) were larger than those observed for bulk plant tissues and close to those observed for lignin-derived phenols in other studies. These differences should make it possible to differentiate and quantify the different types and sources of organic matter in sediments and soils. In particular, the molecular and isotopic signatures of cutins and suberins can be used to evaluate the specific dynamics of root vs shoot tissues in soils using C₃/C₄ chronosequences.     

Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects of Dissolved Organic Carbon Leached from Senescent Plants in an Oligotrophic Wetland

We conducted a series of experiments whereby dissolved organic matter (DOM) was leached from various wetland and estuarine plants, namely sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa), red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), cattail (Typha domingensis), periphyton (dry and wet mat), and a seagrass (turtle grass; Thalassia testudinum). All are abundant in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) except for cattail, but this species has a potential to proliferate in this environment. Senescent plant samples were immersed into ultrapure water with and without addition of 0.1% NaN₃ (w/ and w/o NaN₃, respectively) for 36 days. We replaced the water every 3 days. The amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), sugars, and phenols in the leachates were analyzed. The contribution of plant leachates to the ultrafiltered high molecular weight fraction of DOM (>1 kDa; UDOM) in natural waters in the FCE was also investigated. UDOM in plant leachates was obtained by tangential flow ultrafiltration and its carbon and phenolic compound compositions were analyzed using solid state ¹³C cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy and thermochemolysis in the presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH thermochemolysis), respectively. The maximum yield of DOC leached from plants over the 36-day incubations ranged from 13.0 to 55.2 g C kg⁻¹ dry weight. This amount was lower in w/o NaN₃ treatments (more DOC was consumed by microbes than produced) except for periphyton. During the first 2 weeks of the 5 week incubation period, 60–85% of the total amount of DOC was leached, and exponential decay models fit the leaching rates except for periphyton w/o NaN₃. Leached DOC (w/ NaN₃) contained different concentrations of sugars and phenols depending on the plant types (1.09–7.22 and 0.38–12.4 g C kg⁻¹ dry weight, respectively), and those biomolecules comprised 8–34% and 4–28% of the total DOC, respectively. This result shows that polyphenols that readily leach from senescent plants can be an important source of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) in wetland environments. The O-alkyl C was found to be the major C form (55±9%) of UDOM in plant leachates as determined by ¹³C CPMAS NMR. The relative abundance of alkyl C and carbonyl C was consistently lower in plant-leached UDOM than that in natural water UDOM in the FCE, which suggests that these constituents increase in relative abundance during diagenetic processing. TMAH thermochemolysis analysis revealed that the phenolic composition was different among the UDOM leached from different plants, and was expected to serve as a source indicator of UDOM in natural water. Polyphenols are, however, very reactive and photosensitive in aquatic environments, and thus may loose their plant-specific molecular characteristics shortly. Our study suggests that variations in vegetative cover across a wetland landscape will affect the quantity and quality of DOM leached into the water, and such differences in DOM characteristics may affect other biogeochemical processes.     

香蕉幼苗三类有机小分子溶质对尖孢镰刀菌侵染的生理响应

为阐明香蕉枯萎病发病机制,研究了尖孢镰刀菌侵染后,香蕉植株中几种对尖孢镰刀菌生长有显著作用的物质(氨基酸、有机羧酸、酚酸)种类和含量的变化。结果表明:(1)病原菌侵染后,伤害逐渐加剧,株高和生物量显著下降。(2)病原菌侵染后,叶片氨基酸总量显著升高,其中丝氨酸、缬氨酸、组氨酸、异亮氨酸和亮氨酸增幅较大,病原菌侵染16 d,其含量分别为侵染前的7.1、6.2、4.4、3.5和2.3倍;而根氨基酸总量开始显著降低,差异逐渐变小。(3)叶片有机羧酸酸含量在病原菌侵染后显著增加,而在根中显著降低。侵染植株叶片中草酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸、琥珀酸和延胡索酸含量分别是未侵染植株叶片的2.6、1.6、1.9、1.8和2.3倍;根中草酸、柠檬酸、苹果酸、琥珀酸和延胡索酸含量分别是未侵染植株的81%、42%、44%、28%和59%。(4)病原菌侵染后,植株叶片和根中酚酸含量都显著升高。叶片中阿魏酸、肉桂酸和水杨酸含量分别是未侵染叶片的2.9、1.7和2.9倍;而根中对羟基苯甲酸和丁香酸含量分别是未侵染根的4.3和1.5倍。研究结果表明,尖孢镰刀菌侵染后,植物与病原菌的相互作用使得植物体内抑菌物质和促菌物质都会相应的增加,植株对病害有一定的抗性,但促菌物质种类和含量较高最终使得感病植株发病。     

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE UPTAKE AND RELEASE OF 32P BY POTAMOGETON PECTINATUS

SUMMARY

The absorption and release of ³²PO₄, by Potamogeton pectinatus L during winter was investigated using a partitioned container in which the roots were separated from the stems and leaves. ³²PO₄ is absorbed by the roots as well as the stems and leaves under both light and dark conditions and transported to all parts of the plant. Transport rates (μg P plant^?1 24 hr^?1) show that more phosphorus is released by the roots than by the stems and leaves, indicating a nett movement of phosphorus from the surrounding water to the substrate. Foliar absorption of ³²P exceeds root absorption under both light and dark conditions.     

缺锌和HCO_3~-处理对诸葛菜和油菜有机酸特征的影响

以诸葛菜和油菜为材料,水培环境下设置4个不同的缺锌和碳酸氢根离子胁迫处理,分别为+Zn0(含Zn且不加HCO3-的处理组),+Zn10(含Zn且加10 mmol·L-1HCO3-的处理组),-Zn0(缺Zn且不加HCO3-的处理组)和-Zn10(缺Zn且加10 mmol·L-1HCO3-的处理组),利用离子色谱法分析了4个处理的两种植物幼苗器官(根、茎、叶)及根系分泌物中的有机酸特征。结果表明:(1)高浓度碳酸氢根离子处理显著增加了两种植物器官及根系分泌的有机酸总量,尤其是在缺锌和高浓度碳酸氢根离子双重胁迫下(-Zn10处理),诸葛菜器官和根系分泌的有机酸比油菜更敏感,草酸、柠檬酸和苹果酸是诸葛菜器官和根系分泌物中的优势酸,这三种有机酸的含量分别占其有机酸总量的75%及以上;(2)叶片是两种植物有机酸产生的主要器官,有机酸的含量和分配比例从地上部分(叶和茎)到地下部分(根)减少;(3)两种植物器官和根系分泌物中的有机酸变化趋势一致,叶片中有机酸主要来源于暗呼吸过程和光呼吸过程,其他器官和根系分泌物中的有机酸主要来源于暗呼吸过程;(4)诸葛菜对缺锌和高浓度碳酸氢根离子的适应能力强于油菜,为诸葛菜的喀斯特适生性和低锌和高浓度碳酸氢根离子环境(如喀斯特环境)的生态修复提供了理论依据。     

Partitioning of Photosynthetically Fixed 14CO2 Into Oil and Curcumin Accumulation in Curcuma Longa Grown Under Iron Deficiency

Changes in leaf growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and incorporation pattern of photosynthetically fixed ¹⁴CO₂ in leaves 1 and 2 from plant apex, in roots, and rhizome induced in Curcuma by growing in a solution culture at Fe concentration of 0 and 5.6 g m^–3 were studied. ¹⁴C was incorporated into primary metabolites (sugars, amino acids, and organic acids) and secondary metabolites (essential oil and curcumin). Fe deficiency resulted in a decrease in leaf area, its fresh and dry mass, chlorophyll (Chl) content, and CO₂ exchange rate at all leaf positions. The rate of ¹⁴CO₂ fixation declined with leaf position, maximum being in the youngest leaf. Fe deficiency resulted in higher accumulation of sugars, amino acids, and organic acids in leaves at both positions. This is due to poor translocation of metabolites. Roots and rhizomes of Fe-deficient plants had lower concentrations of total photosynthate, sugars, and amino acids whereas organic acid concentration was higher in rhizomes. ¹⁴CO₂ incorporation in essential oil was lower in the youngest leaf, as well as incorporation in curcumin content in rhizome. Fe deficiency influenced leaf area, its fresh and dry masses, CO₂ exchange rate, and oil and curcumin accumulation by affecting translocation of assimilated photosynthates.