Distribution of recently absorbed zinc in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) determined by adding radioactive zinc to the culture soultion

Abstract

The distribution of zinc recently absorbed as 65Zn into subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L. var. Bacchus Marsh) from culture solutions has been examined by means of radioautographs in normal plants and in plants recovering from a state of zinc deficiency. In normal plants which had been grown initially in cultures containing non-radioactive zinc, the recently absorbed zinc reached high concentrations in the roots, main axis, and youngest leaves but very little of it moved into the older, fully expanded leaves. In plants recovering from the deficiency, on the other hand, the recently absorbed zinc reached high concentrations in all the living organs, including the oldest leaves. Growth of the "little" leaves or other leaves affected by the deficiency was not resumed after the entry of zinc into their tissues. Recovery of the plant depended upon the production of new leaves by the leaf primordia and upon their subsequent growth and emergence.