Absorption and translocation of ⁵⁹Fe and ¹⁴C‐rhodotorulate in iron‐stressed tomato

Abstract

Tomato plants, varieties FER and Earlygirl (both iron efficient), were grown under low Fe conditions for 9 days. Rhodotorulate ‐¹⁴C was isolated from Rhodotoruiate pilmanae cultured with ¹⁴C‐sucrose. The ¹⁴C‐ Rhodotorulate ‐Fe and Rhodotorulate‐ ⁵⁹Fe were added to the Fe‐stressed plants for 6, 24 and 48 hour periods. It was evident from autoradiograms and tissue sampling that ⁵⁹Fe and ¹⁴C were abundant in roots, stems and leaves. The ¹⁴C autoradiograms showed especially high density in the small younger leaves, as was found also with ⁵⁹Fe. Unlike synthetic chelates rhodotorulate (or metabolized derivatives) were readily absorbed by the roots and translocated to the leaves.

Notes

Research done while on leave at the Institute of Whole Body Metabolism, Japan. Special acknowledgement to Mr. Y. Mabuchi and T. Sakamoto for their excellent research assistance. and leaves. The ¹⁴C autoradiograms showed especially high density in the small younger leaves, as was found also with ⁵⁹Fe. Unlike synthetic chelates rhodotorulate (or metabolized derivatives) were readily absorbed by the roots and translocated to the leaves.