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Translocation of [C]sucrose in wheat
1Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.
Plant Physiology
|March 1, 1983
Summary
Wheat plants translocated sucrose intact through the phloem. Label randomization occurred after unloading, indicating sucrose was transported unaltered in the phloem.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Understanding phloem transport is crucial for crop yield.
- Sucrose is the primary sugar translocated in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the translocation pathway of sucrose in wheat.
- To determine if sucrose is hydrolyzed before or after phloem unloading.
Main Methods:
- Wheat flag leaves were supplied with radiolabeled sucrose ((14)C).
- Translocated sucrose was isolated and hydrolyzed.
- Radioactivity in hexose moieties was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Label appeared in both hexose moieties of sucrose after translocation.
- Near the radioactive front, (14)C was predominantly in the glucose moiety.
- This suggests randomization occurred after unloading from the phloem.
Conclusions:
- Sucrose is taken up intact by the phloem in wheat.
- Translocation of sucrose occurs in an unaltered form.
- Hydrolysis and randomization of sucrose happen after phloem unloading.
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