Kinetics of Transition Element Profile During the Life Cycle of Morning-Glory

Abstract

Transition elements, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Zn, as well as Al concentrations in all tissues of the morning-glory (Ipomoea nil L. c.v. Murasaki) with developing seed were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Aluminum as well as most of the transition elements were found to be accumulated in the root. Only small amounts of the elements were accumulated in the upper part of the plant, except for Cr and Mn. However, when the elements at the upper part of the plant were analyzed, the highest concentration of Al, Sc, V, Fe and Zn were shown to be at the tip of the eldest leaf and cotyledon. In the case of Co, the elemental concentration was high in the lower stems, suggesting a barrier to transfer of the element to the leaf from the stem. A barrier of the element movement from leaf petiole to the leaf was not found in most of the elements investigated. In the ripening stage of the seed, highly selective elemental concentrations in seed were found.