Quantification of zinc transport via the phloem to the grain in rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) at early grain-filling by a combination of mathematical modeling and 65Zn tracing

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for human beings, and most Zn intake occurs through vegetables or cereals such as rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains. Recently, we detected Zn as well as cadmium, which may be partitioned to rice grains, in the phloem saps from the uppermost internodes of rice and in the xylem saps from the cut stems at early grain-filling. To quantify Zn transport to the grains via the phloem and xylem, a mathematical model previously developed for cadmium transport to rice grains was applied. We examined the translocation of zinc into the grains of rice plants at early grain-filling by feeding zinc-65 (⁶⁵Zn) via a root-bathing medium, through culm cuts above and below the flag-leaf nodes, and through the flag leaves. The estimate made using the mathematical model and experimental data for three types of ⁶⁵Zn transport suggests that the grain Zn may be accumulated predominantly via the phloem through two means of transport, phloem transport of stored Zn from the leaves and, more importantly, xylem-to-phloem transfer at the nodes from Zn as it is being absorbed. The Zn transport via the phloem to the grains is more selective than that of cadmium, a non-nutrient element, as also evidenced by the greater transport of cadmium to the glumes via the xylem.