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Are developing xylem vessels the site of ion exudation from root to shoot?
Author(s) -
LÄUCHLI A.,
PITMAN M. G.,
LÜTTGE U.,
KRAMER D.,
BALL E.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
plant, cell and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.646
H-Index - 200
eISSN - 1365-3040
pISSN - 0140-7791
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3040.1978.tb00764.x
Subject(s) - xylem , stele , shoot , parenchyma , botany , root cap , chemistry , biology , biophysics , meristem
This paper describes experiments to test the suggestion that developing xylem vessels are the site of exudation of ions from the root to the shoot. Electron microscopy is used to define the stage of development of xylem vessels in young barley roots along the length of the root. The amino acid analogue p‐fluorophenyl‐alanine (FPA) is used to inhibit ion transport from the stele to the xylem vessels at varied distances from the apex. In the presence of FPA protein synthesis is not inhibited but ineffective proteins are formed. It is shown that exudation of Cl − from the root can be inhibited in this way in parts of the root where all the xylem vessels are mature. This is in contradiction to the suggestion that root exudation is due to the activity of developing vessels. The hypothesis is thus strengthened that ion transport proceeds into the xylem vessels, which are fully mature and devoid of cytoplasm, and is due to release from the xylem parenchyma cells.