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CpSci 101 - MODULE 1 - Lesson 5 and 6 Translocation and Assimilation

Translocation is the process of transporting nutrients and molecules throughout plants via the phloem pathway. Nutrients like sugars, amino acids, and minerals are translocated as solutes in phloem sap to support plant growth and development. Translocation is critical for optimal crop yields by delivering nutrients to seeds and fruits. Nutrients are transported from source to sink organs, with sugars moving from leaves to other plant parts through phloem tissue. Phloem transport occurs via pressure flow, where sugar loading in the leaf creates a pressure gradient driving passive transport to sinks.

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189 views

CpSci 101 - MODULE 1 - Lesson 5 and 6 Translocation and Assimilation

Translocation is the process of transporting nutrients and molecules throughout plants via the phloem pathway. Nutrients like sugars, amino acids, and minerals are translocated as solutes in phloem sap to support plant growth and development. Translocation is critical for optimal crop yields by delivering nutrients to seeds and fruits. Nutrients are transported from source to sink organs, with sugars moving from leaves to other plant parts through phloem tissue. Phloem transport occurs via pressure flow, where sugar loading in the leaf creates a pressure gradient driving passive transport to sinks.

Uploaded by

Regan Roldan Rola
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Principles of Crop Science

LESSON 5. Translocation
Translocation is the process within plants that functions to deliver nutrients and
other molecules over long distances throughout the organism. Translocation occurs
within a series of cells known as the phloem pathway, or phloem transport system,
with phloem being the principal food-conducting tissue in vascular plants. Nutrients
are translocated in the phloem as solutes in a solution called phloem sap.
The predominant nutrients translocated are sugars, amino acids, and minerals,
with sugar (sucrose) being the most concentrated solute in the phloem sap. Various
cell types utilize these nutrients to support their requirements for life or store them
for future use. Because translocation is responsible for the delivery of nutrients to
developing seeds and fruits, this process is critical to the achievement of optimal crop
yield. It also accounts for the ultimate nutritional composition of plant foods
important to humans.

4.1. Transporting Tissues


Water and inorganic substances absorbed by the roots have to be transported to
the leaves (through xylem). Likewise, sugars and other organic compounds
(assimilates) synthesized from the leaves have to be distributed to all parts of the
plants (through phloem).
4.1.a. Phloem is largely for the transport of assimilate (sugars); however, other
substance such as growth regulators, nucleotides, some inorganic minerals and
systemic pesticides are likewise transported via this tissue
4.1.b. Xylem is essentially for the transport of water and minerals

4.2. Direction of movement


Sugars, which are synthesized during photosynthesis, move throughout the
plant, principally through the phloem tissue. The movement can be downward
(basipetal), from leaves to roots, but lateral and upward movement (acropetal) from
leaves to buds or to fruits or to storage organs also occurs. Direction of flow of water
in xylem is commonly acropetal. In both tissues (phloem and xylem), lateral
movement of substances is possible due to the presence of plasmodesmata.

4.3. Mechanism of translocation


Photosynthetic products are moved out of the leaves and into the assimilate
stream from the source (an exporter organ or tissue that produces assimilates) to
where they are used or stored called the sink (importer or consumer of assimilate).

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Principles of Crop Science

Phloem transport is believed to occur by the


mechanism of pressure flow. This hypothesis
suggest that assimilate are moved from
translocation sources to sinks along a gradient of
hydrostatic pressure (turgor pressure) of osmotic
origin. Sugar is asserted to be transported in the
phloem from adjacent cells in the leaf by an
energy-dependent active process called phloem
loading. The effect of this process is a decrease in
water potential in the phloem sieve tube under
osmotic pressure, the water then acts as a vehicle
for the passive transport of the sugars to sinks,
where they are unloaded, or removed, for used or
storage. The water recirculated in the transpiration
stream because of the increased water potential or
the sink resulting from the phloem unloading
(Figure 23). Figure 23. Translocation of
assimilates between the
vascular tissues
Suggested instructional videos to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZAxvlXDiqA&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1
Vek7JxWjGvHSC5-asM8YUFTOAiid1811iCGk8xwzFi4iyaF_g3Fe7Lfs

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Principles of Crop Science

LESSON 6. Assimilation/Partitioning of assimilates


Assimilation is the process of utilizing food (photoassimilates and other solutes)
for growth.
During the early stage, food substances are converted into simpler compounds
(enzymes are needed, nutrients are necessary for normal action of enzymes) and used
as building blocks for more complex substances. During the later stage, simple and
complex compounds are integrated into the living substances of the cells.

5.1. Movement of assimilates


Upper leaves supply the assimilates for the stem apex while the lower leaves
supply the roots. The removal of apical leaves induces the lower leaves to send
assimilates to the leaves above them. Always remember that active sink is “fed” by
the nearest source

5.2. Factors affecting partitioning of assimilate


5.2.a. Sink strength. The ability of a sink to accumulate assimilates is called
sink strength. It is a function of sink size and sink activity.
5.2.b. Proximity of the sink to the source organ. Assimilates move
preferentially toward sink above and in line with the source. Lower mature
leaves feed mainly at the roots, while higher mature leaves feed mainly at the
young leaves and the shoot apex
5.2.c. Stage of development. Developing flowers and fruits become
dominant sinks during the reproductive stage of a crop. On the other hand,
storage roots used as planting materials export assimilates to developing
vegetative tissues.
5.2.d. Nature of vascular connections between source and sinks. Each leaf
is connected to the main vascular system of the stem by a vascular trace,
which diverts from the vascular tissue of the stem into the petiole.

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Principles of Crop Science

REFERENCES

Acquaah, George. 2009. Horticulture: Principles and Practices – 4th Edition. Pearson
Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

College of Agriculture-Central Luzon State University. 2015. Crop Science


Agriculturists Licensure Examination Review Manual. Science City of Muñoz,
Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

Robinson, Richard. (Chief Editor). 2001. Plant Sciences. Macmillan Reference, USA

Taiz, L., & Zeiger, E. (2010). Plant Physiology (5th ed.). USA: Sinauer Associates, Inc.

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