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A New Technique for Continous Injection Into Stems of Field‐Grown Corn Plants
Author(s) -
Zhou X. M.,
Smith D. L.
Publication year - 1996
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/cropsci1996.0011183x003600020038x
Subject(s) - distilled water , syringe , sucrose , nutrient , plunger , greenhouse , biology , horticulture , tap water , agronomy , materials science , chemistry , food science , chromatography , environmental science , environmental engineering , psychology , ecology , psychiatry , composite material
Chronic addition of nutrients, metabolites, growth regulators, or toxins to intact plants is a useful way to study numerous aspects of plant physiology. However, continuous delivery of large amounts of test solutions into plant tissues has been difficult. Stem infusion methods have proven less destructive and more effective than other methods, such as leaf and root feeding, for supplying nutrients and other materials to developing plants. Infusion into solid‐stemmed plants has been limited by short delivery periods and the damage at the delivery site. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate a new technique for supplying sucrose solutions or water to corn (Zea mays L.) stems. This injection technique delivered pressurized solutions or water through syringe needles sealed to the stem with latex. The pressure was applied to the syringe plunger with ceramic construction bricks. Solutions containing sucrose at 0, 150, and 300 g L‐t were injected over a 32‐d period. The average solution uptake rate was 5.1 mL d −1 plant −1 . Distilled water was more easily delivered than sucrose solutions. No difference in uptake rates were observed between 150 and 300 g L −1 sucrose solutions. This injection system is a simple, efficient, and inexpensive method that can be used easily in the field or greenhouse.