Abstract: | Upon first exposure to , the uptake and reduction capacities of dark-grown corn (Zea maysL.) roots are initially low, but increase markedly within 6h. The development of the accelerated uptake rate appears to be substrate induced as is reductase (NR), the first enzyme in the assimilatory pathway. However, the inductionof uptake is independent of NR induction. The effect of deprivation was studied to determine the role of endogenous on subsequent uptake and reduction. Corn roots were induced for 24 h in 05 mol m3 nutrient solution and then exposed for 0 to 32 h to -free nutrient solution. Uptake and reduction of were determined periodically by exposing sets of roots to a1 h pulse of 0.5 mol m3 . Neither uptake (4.57 µmol root1 h1)nor the percentage of absorbed reduced (27%) was changed significantly (P 0.05) by exogenous deprivation. However, the estimated induced componentof uptake decreased significantly (50% after 32 h). Concurrently, the non-induced basal componentof uptake increased. Previously accumulated decreased from 23 to 4.5 µmol root1 after 32 h of exogenous deprivation. Nearly equivalent quantities of endogenous were used for translocation and reduction during deprivation. During each 1 h pulse, the amounts of translocation and net efflux of to the uptake solution were similar. Net efflux of was strongly correlated (r = 0.991) to the amount of endogenous . The remaining endogenous and its rate of utilization were apparently sufficient to minimize a rapid declineor complete loss in both the induced uptake state and the rate of in vivo assimilation. Key words: reduction, translocation, efflux, root, Zea mays L |