Identification and Localization of Sugar Components of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Root Cap Mucilage

This study is devoted to the neutral sugar analysis of rice root exudate and root cap mucilage.The results indicate that most of the carbohydrate in the exudate is released in soluble dialysable form, mainly as glucose. Mucilage polymers represent only a minor fraction of the whole exudate containing glucose, galactose, xylose, arabinose, and minor amounts of fucose and mannose. In situ localization of some of these sugar residues is also reported. The strongest reaction detected is with fucose-binding lectin. The significance of such data on mucilage composition and its biological role within the rhizosphere - versus colonizing microorganisms - are suggested.