Radial Salt Transport in Corn Roots ' Grace

Summtiizary. Primary roots of solution--grown, 5-day-old or 6-day-old seedlings of corn (Zea mays L.) 10 to 14 cm in length were used to study radial salt trtansport. Measurements were made of the volume of root pressure exudation, salt concentration of the exudate, and rate of salt movement into the xylem exudate. The 32p uptake, 09 consumption, and dehydrogenase activity of the root cortex and stele also were studied. These roots produced copious root pressure exudate containing 4 to 10 times the concentration of 32p in the external solution. Freshly separated stele from 5-day-old roots accumulated 32p as rapidly as the cortex from which it was se!parated and the stele of intact roots also accumulated 32P. Separated stele hfas a higher oxygen uptake than cortex. It also shows strong dehydrogenase activity with the tetrazolium test. The high oxygen consumption, 32p tuptake and strong dehydrogenase activity indicate that the cells of the stele probably play a direct role in salt transport. These data raise dotubts concerning theories of radial salt transport into the xylem based on the assumption that the stele is unable to accumulate salt vigorously.