Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Multipronged Phenotyping Approaches to Characterize Sugarcane Root Systems
Published on: August 17, 2022
Stimulation of sugar loading into sieve elements of willow by potassium and sodium salts
Abstract:
Potassium as the chloride, nitrate or sulphate or sodium as the chloride, were applied at a concentration of 50 mM either to the xylem of stem segments or to the cambial surface of bark strips of willow. Potassium chloride increased the concentration of sucrose in sieve tube exudate collected via severed aphid stylets, without significantly affecting the volume flow rate, or the concentration of potassium in the exudate. The increase in the sucrose level in the sieve tube sap was shown to be due to a stimulation of loading, rather than to an enhancement of longitudinal transport. Potassium nitrate and sulphate or sodium chloride, were not as effective as potassium chloride in stimulating the loading of sucrose. It is suggested that uptake of the cation into cells supplying sugars to the sieve tube is linked to the rate of release of sugars by the supplying cells.
Related Concept Videos
Responses to Salt Stress
Phloem and Sugar Transport
Ionic Strength: Effects on Chemical Equilibria
In this solution, the primary...
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Secondary Active Transport
Secondary Active Transport

