Distribution of zinc in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) during the onset of zinc deficicency, as determined by the use of the radioactive isotope ⁶⁵Zn

Abstract

Young plants of subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L. var. Bacchus Marsh) were grown between day 20 and day 43 in culture solutions containing zinc labelled with the radioactive isotope ⁶⁵Zn and were then transferred to zinc-free culture solution. The distribution of labelled zinc in the plant parts during the subsequent onset of zinc deficiency was determined by means of radioautographs. By similar means the distribution of labelled zinc was determined in plants transferred to culture solutions containing inactive zinc. The zinc present in fully expanded living leaves was largely retained there while they remained alive, even during the onset of zinc deficiency which progressed to the "little leaf" stage. Some zinc was transported out of these leaves when they became prematurely senescent as a result of the deficiency. During the onset of the deficiency some zinc was transported out of the roots and the main axis. After zinc deficiency had become acute and growth had practically ceased, the concentration of zinc in the youngest leaves at the growing points of the main axis and runners remained higher than that in the slightly older, fully expanded leaves.