Sucrose Metabolism for the Development of Seminal Root in Maize Seedlings

The objective of this study was to elucidate the roles of sugar in the formation of root systems. Several parts of the seminal root were investigated to determine their sucrose, glucose and fructose contents and the activity and the in situ localization of the activities of two kinds or metabolic enzymes, invertase aid sucrose synthase, which hydrolyze sucrose. The sucrose, glucose and fructose concentrations in the 0-1 cm section from the root we non apex were we to five times those in die other sections. The invertase, and sucrose synthase activities were also higher in the apical section. The in situ localization of invertase activity was detected in the cell elongation zone of the Seminal root using histochemical method The sucrose; synthase activity was detected in the cell elongation zone of the seminal root and the root apices, of lateral roots. These results suggested drat sucrose is transported to the root. elongation zone and the surrounding tissue: of the lateral root primordia. and is cleaved into glucose, fructose, and UDP-glusose by invertase or sucrose, synthase. This suggested that sucrose contributes to root formation by serving as the source, the carbon source for cell wall synthesis, and as a compatible solute for cell elongation.