Bidirectional exchange of amino compounds between phloem and xylem during long-distance transport in Norway spruce trees (Picea abies [L.] Karst).
14C-Gln, (14)C-Asp, (15)N-Gln, and (15)N-Asp were fed to cut tips of 2- or 3-year-old needles of spruce twigs, still attached to the tree. After incubation, distribution of the radiolabel and (15)N enrichment was studied in needles, bark and wood tissues of girdled twigs and untreated controls. Analysis of the twig tissues showed that between 22% and 26% of the total amount of the tracers applied had been taken up. Since export out of the application segment and distribution between needles, bark and wood was comparable for (14)C and (15)N tracer, it was concluded that, mainly the amino compounds that had been fed were subject to long- distance transport within the plant and supplied the new sprout with nitrogen. Asp was exported to a greater extent to developing needles compared with Gln. This difference in export between the two amino compounds applied may be explained by the different pool sizes of Gln and Asp in xylem and phloem or differences in xylem and phloem loading. Girdling of the stem showed that the transport of reduced nitrogen compounds from older needle generations to current-year needles proceeded in both xylem and phloem. In addition, an intensive bidirectional exchange of Gln and Asp between xylem and phloem was observed during long-distance transport.
Gessler
Arthur
A
Institut für Forstbotanik und Baumphysiologie, Professur für Baumphysiologie, Albert-Universität Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee Geb 053/054, D-79110 Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
Weber
Paul
P
Schneider
Stephan
S
Rennenberg
Heinz
H
D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D028222:Picea / Q000378:metabolism*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000378:metabolism; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000378:metabolism*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D018698:Glutamic Acid