Translocation and Breakdown of 14C-labeled Paclobutrazol in ‘Nemaguard’ Peach Seedlings

Abstract

‘Nemaguard’ peach seedlings [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] were grown in nutrient solution cultures containing 0.36 µM 14C-labeled paclobutrazol (0.59 MBq·liter–1) for 9 days. Microautoradiographs of transverse and longitudinal stem sections showed that 14C activity was localized in the xylem. Tissue extracts showed that the total 14C activity in the plants was distributed predominantly between the roots (40.9%) and leaves (49.1%). The majority of 14C activity in stems and leaves was located in the lowest stem and leaf fractions. The concentration of 14C activity was highest in leaves (478 dpm·mg–1 fresh weight), and essentially equal in the roots and stems (141 dpm·mg–1 fresh weight) indicating that transport of the compound was occurring via the xylem. Although 14C-labeled paclobutrazol was relatively stable in the nutrient solution, its degradation in the plant was rapid. By 9 days after treatment, the amount of 14C label remaining as 14C-labeled paclobutrazol was 71.5% in the roots, 41.5% to 68.1% in the stems, and 7.8% to 12.2% in the leaves. Chemical name used: β-(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol).

Insight of PBZ mediated drought amelioration in crop plants

“…PBZ was also held by roots, translocated through the xylem mainly in the stems, and collected in leaves (Wang et al, 1985). Early and Martin (1988) found that PBZ was metabolized more quickly in apple leaves than in other plant sections.…”