Effect of an increased sink demand on the carbon metabolism and export of a maize source leaf

The sink demand was increased on a source maize leaf ( Zea mays L. cv. F7F2) by darkening all the leaves except the fourth, which was maintained under the prevailing irradiance conditions. The parameters of carbon metabolism were measured precisely during the first hours, and then daily during one week. The ambient photosynthetic activity and the maximum photosynthetic capacity were not altered by the treatment but the soluble carbohydrate and starch contents diminished, while ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.27) activity increased. The carbon export rate, evaluated by the rate of disappearance of radioactivity after a 1-min ¹⁴CO₂ pulse, was faster than in control leaves. A compartmental analysis of the time course of ¹⁴C export further indicated that the sucrose pool providing the export flux was largely increased by the dark treatment. The darkened leaf 5, taken as an example of the darkened sources, was completely depleted of its carbohydrate content after one day in the dark and remained devoid of carbohydrates during the following week.