Xylem translocation of amino acids from roots to shoots in cottonwood plants

Abstract

Xylem sap produced by root pressure and collected from topped cottonwood (Populusdeltoides Bartr.) contained sugars, organic acids, amino acids, protein, and inorganic nutrients. Amino acids and NO3N were present at the highest concentrations. Total amino acids in xylem sap ranged from 3 to 10 mol m−3 and NO3N ranged from 7 to 10 mol m−3. When lower leaves were photosynthetically labeled with 14CO2, activity was rapidly translocated to roots and recycled to shoots. Within 6 h after labeling leaves, xylem exudate contained between 1 and 2 × 106 disintegrations min−1 cm−3. Most of the activity (50 to 70%) was in the amino acid fraction. Although nine amino acids contained some activity, more than 90% of the 14C was found in five common transport and storage amino acids: asparagine, glutamine, serine, alanine, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Glutamine contained 60 to 70% of the activity in the amino acid fraction 2 h after topping. Sugars, translocated from lower leaves to roots via the ploem, are converted to amino acids in roots and then translocated to the developing shoot via the xylem.