© 1991 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Distribution of 14C-labeled photosynthate in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedlings as affected by season and time after exposure
M. R. Kuhns (1) and D. H. Gjerstad (2)
1. Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0814, USA / 2. School of Forestry and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA / Received July 16, 1990
Summary
Distribution of 14C-labeled photosynthate was determined in field-grown loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings on August 9 and October 15, 1984 and January 15 and March 12, 1985. Leaves on a lateral branch fixed 14C photosynthetically and amounts of 14C in seven biochemical fractions in each of six plant parts were determined 8, 24, and 72 h later. In all treatments, 14C uptake was approximately 96% of that originally presented. Respiratory loss of 14C ranged from 22 to 87% of uptake and increased sharply with increasing time after exposure and as the seedlings grew larger
later in the study. Most 14C was found in exposed leaves and very little occurred above the exposed branch. Amounts of 14C decreased in the exposed leaves and increased in the roots with time after exposure and date. Sugars were generally the
most heavily labeled fraction. Labeled sugar content of exposed leaves decreased by more than half between 8 and 72 h as sugars
were metabolized and translocated to other parts, primarily the roots. In roots, the labeling of starch and residue (structural
compounds) increased greatly with transport time and season. In all plant parts, proteins and amino acids contained very little
14C regardless of date or time.
