Skip to main content
Log in

Source-to-sink gradient of potassium in the phloem

  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The potassium contents of bark strips of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and of phloem exudate of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) were analyzed at different regions of the stem. In cassava, a peak in potassium content was observed near the first mature leaf, leveling off both above and below this point. In castor bean, only a downward decreasing gradient was observed. In both plants, the direction of the potassium gradient coincided with the presumed direction of assimilate flow.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amir, S., Reinhold, L. (1971) Interaction between K-deficiency and light in [14C] sucrose translocation in bean plants. Physiol. Plant. 24, 226–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Beringer, H., Haeder, H.E. (1981) Influence of potassium nutrition on starch synthesis in barley grains. Z. Pflanzenernähr. Bodenkd. 144, 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Conti, T.R., Geiger, D.R. (1982) Potassium nutrition and translocation in sugar beet. Plant Physiol. 70, 168–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Doman, D.C., Geiger, D.R. (1979) Effect of exogenously supplied foliar potassium on phloem loading in Beta vulgaris L. Plant Physiol. 64, 528–533

    Google Scholar 

  • Fellows, R.J., Geiger, D.R. (1974) Structural and physiological changes in sugar beet leaves during sink to source conversion. Plant Physiol. 54, 877–885

    Google Scholar 

  • Giaquinta, R. (1978) Source and sink leaf metabolism in relation to phloem translocation. Plant Physiol. 61, 380–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Grange, R.I., Peel, A.J. (1978) Evidence for solution flow in the phloem of willow. Planta 138, 15–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartt, C.E. (1969) Effect of potassium deficiency upon translocation of 14C in attached blades and entire plants of sugarcance. Plant Physiol. 44, 1461–1469

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartt, C.E. (1970) Effect of potassium deficiency upon translocation of 14C in detached blades of sugarcane. Plant Physiol. 45, 183–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, A. (1983) Turgor regulated translocation. Plant Cell Environ. 6, 683–689

    Google Scholar 

  • Mengel, K. (1980) Effect of potassium on the assimilate conduction of storage tissue. Ber. Dtsch. Bot. Ges. 93, 353–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Mengel, K., Viro, M. (1974) Effect of potassium supply on the transport of photosynthates to the fruits of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum). Physiol. Plant. 30, 295–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Milburn, J.A. (1974) Phloem transport in Ricinus: concentration gradients between source and sink. Planta 117, 303–319

    Google Scholar 

  • Milburn, J.A. (1975) Pressure flow. In: Encyclopedia of plant physiology, N.S., vol. 1: Transport in plants I: Phloem transport, pp. 328–353, Zimmermann, M.H., Milburn, J.A., eds. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Spanner, D.C. (1958) The translocation of sugar in sieve tubes. J. Exp. Bot. 93, 332–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Spanner, D.C. (1975) Electroosmotic flow. In: Encyclopedia of plant physiology, N.S., vol. 1: Transport in plants I: Phloem transport, pp. 301–327, Zimmermann, M.H., Milburn, J.A., eds. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vreugdenhil, D. Source-to-sink gradient of potassium in the phloem. Planta 163, 238–240 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393513

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393513

Key words

Navigation