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Assimilate Transport in the Xylem Sap of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) Saplings
Author(s) -
Heizmann U.,
Kreuzwieser J.,
Schnitzler J.P.,
Brüggemann N.,
Rennenberg H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 1435-8603
DOI - 10.1055/s-2001-12898
Subject(s) - xylem , transpiration , quercus robur , photosynthesis , biology , transpiration stream , botany , shoot , horticulture , phloem
Abstract: The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as the concentrations of organic compounds (total soluble non‐protein N compounds [TSNN], soluble carbohydrates), in the xylem sap were determined during two growth seasons in one‐year‐old Quercus robur saplings. From the data, the total C gain of the leaves, by both photosynthesis and the transpiration stream, was calculated. Large amounts of C were allocated to the leaves by the transpiration stream; depending on the time of day and the environmental conditions the portion of C originating from xylem transport amounted to 8 to 91% of total C delivery to the leaves. Particularly under conditions of reduced photosynthesis, e.g., during midday depression of photosynthesis, a high percentage of the total C delivery was provided to the leaves by the transpiration stream (83 to 91 %). Apparently, attack by phloem‐feeding aphids lowered the assimilate transport from roots to shoots; as a consequence the portion of C available to the leaves from xylem transport amounted to only 12 to 16 %. The most abundant organic compounds transported in the xylem sap were sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose) with concentrations of ca. 50 to 500 μmol C ml ‐1 , whereas C from N compounds was of minor significance (3 to 20 μmol ml ‐1 C). The results indicate a significant cycling of C in the plants because the daily transport of C with the transpiration stream exceeded the daily photosynthetic CO 2 fixation in several cases. This cycling pool of C may sustain delivery of photosynthate to heterotrophic tissues, independent of short time fluctuations in photosynthetic CO 2 fixation.