Nutrient transfer in grafted tomatoes

Abstract

Transfer of nutrients in grafted plants was first noticed in the 19th century, but little work has been done on the actual movement of nutrients across the graft. The work reported here deals with transfer of phosphorus and photosynthates across the graft union of glasshouse tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum). In this work radioisotopes of phosphorus and carbon were chosen for study. 32P, as H332PO4, was applied to roots while 14C was administered to leaves in the form of 14CO2. The movements of these isotopic compounds in stock and scion plants was followed. Part I describes the movement of isotope through newly grafted plants during the healing of the graft. The histology of the graft union formation is also studied in relation to the transfer of isotopes from one plant to the other. Part II considers the transfer of 32P from one plant to another in the presence or absence of the shoot or root of one partner. Part III studies the distribution pattern of phosphorus and photosynthate in grafted plants.