SYSTEMIC TRANSPORT OF TRITIATED PHOSPHONATE IN TOMATO PLANTLETS (LYCOPERSICON-ESCULENTUM MILL)

Phosphonate uptake and distribution were evaluated in tomato plantlets by direct determination and by autoradiography. The rate of root uptake was linear during the 2 h of assay, suggesting active transport of the molecule. Phosphonate was readily taken up through the roots and translocated to the leaves, which contained the molecule within 2 min of root application. Autoradiography showed that phosphonate was transferred apoplastically by veins and progressively entered the lamina by symplastic transport. After a root loading of 2 h, plants were transferred to water and phosphonate levels were evaluated over the following 3 days: the concentrations in roots increased with a corresponding decrease in phosphonate levels in the leaves. These experiments demonstrated the ambimobility of phosphonate.