Effect of Lipids on Chloride and Sodium Transport in Bean and Cotton Plants

This paper describes experiments on Cl transport into the roots, stem and leaves of bean plants, the roots of which have been exposed to lipids in the root solution. Monoand digalactose diglyceride strongly increased Cl transport into all plant parts, probably by transport of the glycolipids further into the plant. Phosphatidyl choline increased Cl absorption by the roots, but transport into the stem and leaves was not affected. This phospholipid was only absorbed by the root tissue. (32)P-glycerophosphoryl choline added to the root solution was readily transported and esterified as phospholipid in all plant parts. This chemical did increase Cl uptake by the roots but Cl accumulation in the leaves was reduced by as much as 40%. Phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl inositol, and sulfolipid increased Cl transport into roots, stem, and leaves, and a high mobility of (32)P-phosphatidyl glycerol was demonstrated. Generally no significant effect of the above lipids on Na transport in beans and cotton was noted except that monogalactose diglyceride did increase Na transport in cotton.