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Carbohydrates in Grasses: V. Incorporation of 14 C into Plant Parts and Nonstructural Carbohydrates of Timothy ( Phleum pratense L.) at Three Developmental Stages 1
Author(s) -
Balasko J. A.,
Smith Dale
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1973.0011183x001300010007x
Subject(s) - biology , phleum , inflorescence , anthesis , elongation , meristem , botany , forage , silique , main stem , horticulture , agronomy , shoot , arabidopsis thaliana , materials science , gene , mutant , cultivar , metallurgy , ultimate tensile strength , biochemistry
Distribution of photosynthates in forage grasses is important in terms of yield, quality, and persistence. The objectives of this study were to learn more about the distribution of 14 C fed to timothy ( Phleum pratense L.) at different growth stages and to follow its incorporation into nonstructural carbohydrates of stem bases. Plants at three developmental stages — initiation of stem elongation, ear emergence, and anthesis N were exposed to 14 CO 2 . Plants were harvested at 1, 3, 8, 32, and 168 hr following exposure. Specific activity of 14 C in leaf blades, leaf sheaths, inflorescences, stems, stem bases, roots, and yellow leaves was measured. Radioactivity in each plant part was calculated and expressed as a percentage of total plant radioactivity. One week following exposure to 14 CO 2 at initiation of stem elongation, roots and leaves were primary recipients of 14 C. At ear emergence stems and inflorescences were major sinks. One week following feeding at anthesis, stems and roots contained 73% of the total plant 14 C. At initiation of stem elongation, very little 14 C was incorporated into the fructosan fraction of the stem bases, whereas at ear emergence and anthesis, labelled fructosan was more abundant. Major storage of fructosan took place after most meristematic sinks were satisfied.