Cadmium concentrations in the phloem sap of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) treated with a nutrient solution containing cadmium

To obtain direct evidence for the translocation of cadmium (Cd) via the phloem, we measured the Cd concentrations in the phloem sap of 5-week-old rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Kantou) treated with a nutrient solution containing Cd. The phloem sap was collected from the leaf sheaths through the cut ends of stylets of the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål.). Cd concentrations in the phloem sap from the plants treated with 10 and 100 µM Cd for 3 d were 4.6 ± 3.4 and 17.7 ± 9.8 µM, respectively. Detection of Cd in the phloem sap indicated that Cd was translocated via sieve tubes in rice plants. Cd concentrations in the xylem exudate collected from the cut basis of the leaf sheaths of the plants treated with 10 and 100 µM Cd for 3 d were 18.9 ± 6.4 and 64.2 ± 14.6 µM, respectively. Cd concentrations in the phloem sap were significantly lower than those in the xylem exudate, indicating that Cd is not concentrated during the transfer from xylem to phloem. To our knowledge, this is the first determination of Cd concentrations in the phloem sap of plants, and the first direct proof that Cd is translocated via sieve tubes in rice plants.     

Glutathione levels in phloem sap of rice plants under sulfur deficient conditions

Glutathione which is an abundant reduced sulfur compound in plants is considered to play important roles in the transmission of the sulfur nutrient status between organs within the plant body and in the long-distance transport of reduced sulfur. We determined the concentrations of glutathione, γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-EC), sulfate in the rice phloem sap collected by the insect laser technique. Phloem sap was collected from the plants cultured in sulfur-deficient and control solutions. The concentration of glutathione in the rice phloem sap was higher than that of sulfate in both control and sulfur-deficient plants. Under sulfur-deficient condition, the concentration of glutathione in the phloem sap did not decrease, whereas the sulfate concentration decreased significantly. The pattern of changes in γ-EC concentration was similar to that of glutathione. These data indicate the presence of mechanisms for the maintenance of a constant glutathione concentration in the phloem sap in rice plants under sulfur deficiency, whereas the sulfate concentration was found to be relatively unstable.     

Transfer of zinc from xylem to phloem in the peduncle of wheat

Maturing wheat grains represent major sinks for solutes in the phloem, while the xylem sap entering the ear is mainly delivered to the glumes. Nutrients and assimilates transported in the phloem may either be exported from source organs or loaded into the sieve tubes by a xylem‐to‐phloem transfer in the stem. The transfer of zinc from xylem to phloem in the peduncle of wheat was investigated by feeding radiolabelled zinc into the cut xylem of detached shoots. The label accumulated in grains of shoots with an intact phloem but not in those steam‐girdled below the ear. These findings indicate that zinc fed in low concentrations (0.1 ‐ 10 μM) entered the ear mainly via the phloem. After feeding high zinc concentrations (100 ‐1000 μM), the label was mainly retained in the stem and steam‐girding below the ear was rather ineffective. These results led to the conclusion that at these high concentrations zinc was still eliminated from the xylem sap, but loaded only in a minor percentage into the phloem. The interactions between the two long distance transport systems may play an important role in the regulation of zinc transport to the maturing grains of cereals.     

Effect of External Nitrogen and Potassium Supply on Xylem Sap Composition of Sugarcane

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) availability on root exudate composition of two sugarcane cultivars known to differ with regard to their resistance to drought and salinity stress. The plants were hydroponically grown in a greenhouse and subjected to three levels of N (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mM N) and three levels of K (0.02, 0.2, and 2 mM K). Nitrogen and K stress altered the xylem sap composition. Nitrogen stress significantly reduced nitrate (NO₃ ^?), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and amino acid content and increased the pH, phosphorus (P), and K content. Whereas, K stress significantly decreased pH, K, NH₄ ⁺, and amino acid content but increased Ca, Mg, and P content. Nitrogen and K stress had opposing effects on xylem sap pH and osmolality. Results indicated that sugarcane plants recycle compounds between the phloem and xylem. The results also suggested that the NO₃ ^? and K concentration of xylem sap could be effectively used to estimate the N and K status of the soil solution.     

Cytosolic glutamine synthetase is present in the phloem sap of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The presence of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the rice sieve tube was examined. Proteins in the rice phloem sap from leaf sheaths were separated by sodium dodecylsulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to polyvinylidine difluoride membranes and immunoblotted with anti-GS1 antibody. A cross-reacting band, thought to be GS1, was detected in the phloem sap. Moreover, the phloem sap contained a significant amount of GS transferase activity. Previous studies have shown that the concentrations of substrates and cofactors in the rice phloem sap are sufficient for cytosolic GS reaction. These data suggest that physiologically active GS1 is present in rice phloem sap, which might convert glutamate to glutamine in vivo .     

Cloning of the phloem-specific small heat-shock protein from leaves of rice plants

The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of a major rice phloem-sap protein, designated as RPP23, was determined. The complete amino-acid sequence of RPP23 was deduced from the corresponding rice EST- clone and contained an extra 46 amino acids at the N-terminus, that was apparently cleaved off to form mature RPP23 in sieve tubes. RPP23 shared a similarity to plant small heat-shock proteins (smHSPs), though the N-terminal region of RPP23 was distinct from that of known smHSPs. Immunocytological analyses using leaf sections showed that RPP23 was located only in the phloem regions of leaves, and was present in non-stressed plants. In mature leaves, stronger immunocytological signals were detected in sieve elements than in companion cells.     

Chemical composition of xylem sap of tomato grown on bicarbonate containing medium

Incorporation of bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^‐) by the roots of tomato seedlings resulted in an increase in biomass production and changed the chemical composition of xylem sap. In the xylem sap of seedlings grown on a medium enriched with HCO₃ ^‐ (5.68 mM dm^‐3, series II) compared with the control (series I) the element content increased by about 27% and 33% for cations and anions, respectively. Potassium was the major cation in the xylem sap and constituted 69% of the total concentration of all the inorganic cations determined. Calcium attained 19% of this amount. The anionic load in the xylem sap was chiefly nitrate, constituting about 90% of the content of all the inorganic anions. The exudate was analysed for seven organic acids. In general, malic (MA), maleic, and citric (CA) occurred in xylem exudate at greater concentrations, constituting about 95% of the total content of organic acids. Cultivation of seedlings on the medium enriched with HCOJ brought about an increased content of organic acids, exceeding the control by about 60%. The concentration of MA increased by about 104% and that of CA and maleic acid exceeded the control by about 40% and 14%, respectively. Twenty amino acids were identified in tomato xylem sap. Glutamic, aspartic and y‐arninobutyric acid, and particularly the amides aspargine and glutamine occurred in greater amounts. Their total concentration was about 60% and 70% of the total amino acid content in series I and II, respectively. The remaining amino acids occurred at concentrations ≥ 90 μM. The cultivation of plants on the medium containing HCO₃ ^‐ resulted in an increase in amino acid content in xylem sap by about 28% as compared with the control. The ratio of amino acid to organic acid content was 2: 2.5 and 2: 3 for series I and II, respectively. The similar value of the ratio in the two series suggests that the synthesis of both groups of compounds be equally favoured by the carbon source (endogenous in the control and from the medium enriched with HCO₃ ^‐ in series II). The increased level of elements and organic compounds in xylem sap in the case of plants supplied with HCO₃ ^‐ is discussed in the work in respect of metabolic processes of roots.     

Compositional changes of selected amino acids,organic acids,and soluble sugars in the xylem sap of N,P, or K‐deficient tomato plants

Xylem sap plays a major role in long‐distance transport of water, nutrients, and metabolites. However, there is little information on the behavior of metabolites in mineral‐deficient xylem sap. For this reason, the time‐dependent changes in selected metabolites (amino acids, organic acids, and soluble sugars) from tomato xylem sap in response to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or potassium (K)‐deficient condition were investigated. Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were grown hydroponically in liquid culture under three different mineral regimes: N‐deficient [0.5 mM Ca(NO₃)₂ and 0.5 mM KNO₃], P‐deficient (0.05 mM KH₂PO₄), and K‐deficient (0.5 mM KNO₃), respectively. Xylem sap was collected at 10:00 am after 1, 5, 15, and 30 d, and the selected metabolites were analyzed with liquid chromatography. All N, P, or K deficiencies led to a substantial increase in metabolites in the xylem sap. The predominant amino acid in the xylem sap was glutamine and, interestingly, all mineral deficiencies resulted in a substantial amount of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA). Additionally, organic acids (citrate and malate) and soluble sugars were strongly increased in all mineral deficiencies, and, in particular, the level of shikimate was greatly affected by N deficiency. Based on these data, it is necessary to clearly elucidate an unknown event taking place in xylem loading in a variety of environmental impacts, and we are now studying to expand our knowledge on metabolic and proteomic responses using GC‐MS and LC‐MS.     

Effect of rare earth elements on growth and nutrition of coconut palm and root competition for these elements between the palm and calotropis gigantea

Absorption of rare earth elements (REEs) namely lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), and neodymium (Nd) by coconut, competition between coconut and Calotropis gigantea L. for these elements in mixed culture and the effects of the REEs on growth and nutrition of the palm were studied in a pot culture. At a low rate of application, REEs promoted root growth in coconut, but at a higher level, absorption of phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) by the palm was reduced significantly. Absorption of REEs by the palm tended to increase with increasing application rates, but the increases were not statistically significant. Although Calostropis gigantea accumulated more REEs per unit dry matter than coconut, it failed to compete effectively for REEs in mixed culture with coconut. However, in mixed culture, coconut depressed the absorption of REEs by Calostropis gigantea.     

Host-rhizobia interaction for effective inoculation: evaluation of the potential use of the ureide assay to monitor the symbiotic performance of tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray)

Domesticated and wild-type tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) were grown with or without inoculation with rhizobia in pots under bacteriologically controlled conditions in a temperature-controlled glasshouse. Seeds were inoculated with a mixture of seven strains isolated from nodules collected from domesticated field-grown tepary bean in Arizona, USA, or with a commercial inoculant strain for Phaseolus vulgaris (CC511). Different degrees of plant reliance upon N₂ fixation for growth were generated by supplying the inoculated plants throughout growth with nutrients containing a range of concentrations of ¹⁵N-labeled NO₃ (0, 1, 2, 5 or 10 mM). An uninoculated treatment that received 10 mM ¹⁵N-labeled NO₃ was included to provide data for plants solely dependent upon NO₃ for growth. Six weeks after sowing, shoots were harvested for dry matter determination and subsequent ¹⁵N analysis, root-bleeding xylem sap was collected, and nodulation assessed. With regard to shoot biomass production, domesticated lines were more responsive to inoculation, but less responsive to applied N than wild types. All inoculated plants were nodulated, but the field isolates from tepary bean were more effective in N₂ fixation than strain CC511. It was concluded that tepary bean requires a specific inoculant to benefit from fixation of atmospheric N₂. Xylem sap samples were analysed for ureides (allantoin and allantoic acid), amino acid content (α-amino-N), and NO₃ concentration. The amount of ureide-N present in xylem sap was expressed as a percentage of total solute N, described as the relative abundance of ureide-N (RUN), for each N treatment and was compared to the proportion of plant N derived from N₂ fixation (%Ndfa) calculated using a ¹⁵N dilution technique. The RUN values ranged from 8% for saps collected from uninoculated plants provided with 10 mM NO₃ in the nutrient solution (%Ndfa=0) to 86-91% for nodulated plants grown in the absence of externally supplied NO₃ (%Ndfa=100). These data indicated that ureides were the principal product of N₂ fixation exported from the nodules to the shoot in xylem sap. Since RUN values were closely related to %Ndfa, it was proposed that N-solute analysis of xylem sap could provide a valuable analytical tool to monitor the symbiotic performance of tepary bean.     

Effects of symbiosis with Rhizobium fredii on transport of fixed nitrogen in the xylem of soybean plants

An experiment was conducted to identify the main nitrogenous compound transported in the xylem sap of soybean plants nodulated with Rhizobium fredii. Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) cultivars, wild type Bragg (nod⁺, fix⁺) and its nitrate tolerant, hypernodulating mutant ntsll16 (nod⁺⁺, fix⁺) were used for this experiment. These soybean plants were inoculated with a slowgrowing rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDAllO or fast-growing rhizobia consisting of a mixture of R. fredii USDA191, USDA193, and USDA-194 and grown in a phytotron under natural light and controlled temperature conditions. Xylem sap was collected from Bragg and ntsll16 plants at the flowering and pod elongation stages. Acetylene reduction activity per plant or per nodule weight was not different between soybean lines and inoculums. The composition of the nitrogenous compounds in the xylem sap was compared between the symbionts, with B. japonicum and R. fredii. At the flowering stage, ureide-N and amide-N accounted for 53 to 70% and 20 to 27% respectively of the total N in the sap collected from the plants inoculated either with B. japonicum or R. fredii. At the pod elongation stage, ureide-N and amide-N accounted for 74 to 85%, and 7 to 19% of total sap N. With the growth of the soybean plants, the ratio of ureide-N in the xylem sap increased. These results suggest that in the case of wild soybean and the hypernodulating mutant line nodulated by R. fredii, ureide is transported as the main nitrogenous compound of fixed nitrogen in the xylem sap in the same way as in plants nodulated with B. japonicum.     

Acclimation of eggplant (Solanum melongena) to low boron supply

Root active uptake and remobilization of boron (B) have been accepted as mechanisms contributing to nutrient efficiency under low supply of boron. Here, we examined the existence of these mechanisms in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) supplied either with luxury (100 μM, B+) or low (7.5 μM, B–) B in the growth medium via semihydroponic cultivation. Boron treatment was marginally not limiting growth thus avoiding side‐effects and impairment of acclimation mechanisms of plants. The induction of a B‐concentrating mechanism was evident in the roots as B concentration in the xylem sap was only decreased by 23% in B– compared to B+ plants, i.e., B– roots concentrated B by a factor of 2.7 relative to the external solution. Leaf B concentration in the B– treatment decreased by 33% and 40% in young fully expanded and mature leaves, respectively. Larger differences were observed in the soluble B fraction that decreased by 65% in mature leaves. However, both total and soluble B concentrations in developing leaves were almost equal for both treatments exhibiting a pattern commonly observed in B‐remobilizing plants. On the other hand, amounts of B export in the phloem sap were small compared to other species in which B is highly mobile. The B export rate from source leaves was slightly increased under low B supply while that of sucrose was not affected. We conclude that the root concentrating mechanism contributes to the alleviation of B deficiency in eggplant under low B supply while B remobilization may also contribute to a lower degree.     

Comparison between analytical results of plant sap analysis and the dry ashing method for tomato plants cultured hydroponically

Tomato plants (Lycopersicon. esculentum Mill cv. Momotaro) were cultured in nutrient solutions of varying concentrations or of varying nitrate (NO₃) levels. The leaf blades and the main petioles including rachis were collected from the mixture of three successive leaves below each fruit truss at two growth stages. Comparisons were made between the nutrient concentration in the leaf blade and the petiole determined by plant sap analysis, and that in the leaf blade determined by the dry ashing method. Closely correlated relationships were found to exist between the phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the leaf blade and the petiole determined by plant sap analysis, and those in the leaf blade determined by the dry ashing method at two growth stages. For the concentration of potassium (K), there was no correlation between results of plant sap analysis and those determined by the dry ashing method at either growth stage.     

不同硼效率棉花品种木质部和韧皮部汁液中矿质养分的差异

溶液培养条件下研究硼对2个硼效率不同的棉花品种木质部、韧皮部中硼及其它矿质养分运输的影响。结果表明,缺硼使2个棉花品种木质部汁液硼含量及溢出量明显降低,低效品种降低幅度大于高效品种。供硼充足(0.5mg/L)时,2个棉花品种木质部汁液中硼浓度均小于培养液中硼浓度;缺硼(0.002mg/L)时,高效品种与低效品种木质部汁液硼浓度分别是培养液硼浓度的32.0和20.5倍。缺硼使2个棉花品种木质部汁液中钾、锰、铜、锌含量均升高,高效品种升高幅度较大;钙含量均降低,低效品种降低幅度较大;高效品种镁含量增高,低效品种降低。而2个棉花品种木质部各养分(钾、镁、钙、锰、铜、锌)溢出量均降低,低效品种降低更明显。无论在缺硼或供硼充足时,2个棉花品种韧皮部中硼浓度均极低,但韧皮部溢泌液中其它养分受缺硼影响品种间表现不同,高效品种韧皮部钾、镁、锰、铜溢出量升高,低效品种则降低;2个品种钙、锌溢出量均降低,低效品种降低幅度更大。     

植物汁液化学组成及其与菜心抗性和Cd累积的关系

Sap mixtures of the xylem, phloem, and vacuoles from low and high Cd accumulator varieties of Brassica parachinensis L. H. Bailey were analyzed under Cd stress to understand the biochemical mechanisms of Cd accumulation in plants. Low Cd accumulator （‘Teqing-60＇） and high Cd accumulator （‘Chixin-2＇） plants were grown in Cd-treated soil in pots in a greenhouse. Percentage of cell wall-bound Cd was estimated, pH level and the concentrations of amino acids, organic acids, anions, and cations in both stem and root saps were determined for the calculation of Cd speciations using the computer program GEOCHEM. The results showed that ‘Teqing-60＇ had a significantly higher （P ≤ 0.05） percentage of Cd bound to cell walls in roots and a significantly higher （P ≤ 0.05） pH in the root sap. ‘Teqing-60＇ also contained a higher concentration of total amino acids in both roots and stems compared with the high Cd accumulator variety ‘Chixin- 2＇. However, between the two accumulators, for stems and for roots, there were no significant differences in non-amino organic acids. GEOCHEM calculations showed that Cd in the root sap of ‘Teqing-60＇ mainly combined with amino acids, especially alanine. Compared with ‘Chixin-2＇, in the root sap of ‘Teqing-60＇, much lower levels of Cd as free ions or bound to simple ligands were found, indicating that less ‘Teqing-60＇ is transferred to stems and leaves. Cadmium activity in the shoot sap of ‘Teqing-60＇ was much lower than that in ‘Chixin-2＇; therefore, ‘Teqing-60＇ exhibited higher Cd resistance. However, direct determination of the Cd complexes from xylem and phloem sap is needed to verify these results.     

Variation in mineral content of red maple sap across an atmospheric deposition gradient

Abstract

Xylem sap was collected from red maple (Acer rubrum L.) trees during the spring of 1988 and 1989 at seven forest sites along an atmospheric deposition gradient in north central Pennsylvania and analyzed for pH and twelve mineral constituents. The objectives of the study were to examine the sources and patterns of variation in red maple sap chemistry across an atmospheric deposition gradient and to assess the feasibility of using sap analysis as an indicator of nutrient bioavailability. For most sap constituents, there was considerable spatial and temporal variation in concentration. Sources of variation included within and between site variation, date, and year of collection. The nature and extent of variation varied for different constituents. Site differences were similar in 1988 and 1989 for most sap constituents and for some constituents corresponded with differences in soil levels.     

氮素形态和韧皮部烫伤对玉米韧皮部铁运输的影响

用营养液培养方法研究了在不同供铁条件下不同形态N和韧皮部烫伤对玉米苗期韧皮部Fe运输的影响。结果表明,韧皮部烫伤提高了玉米根系Fe的再利用,降低了初生叶中Fe的再利用,尤其在缺Fe条件下这种作用更明显,提高和降低的幅度更大。韧皮部烫伤还降低了伤流总量,增加了Fe的浓度。在供应铵态N的条件下,Fe的韧皮部运输比供应硝态N条件下有显著增加,Fe的再利用明显提高。     

New Biomass Sources to Reduce Peat Dependence in Mediterranean Substrates: Validation of Morus alba L., Sorghum vulgare L., and Phoenix canariensis Pruning Wastes

The use of alternative materials to peat in soilless crop production, such as woody pruning wastes, has been reported by several researchers. In Mediterranean countries, several potential alternatives have been identified such as palm species or woody pruning wastes coming from different plant species. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a tree crop widely used in Europe for urban landscaping and to provide shade. Mulberry trees are pruned in sericulture two or three times a year to obtain a better yield of leaves. In an urban landscape, the trees are pruned once a year to form the canopy. Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) is a cereal crop widely cultivated because it is considered the fourth most important summer crop in the world after soy, corn, and sunflower. It is one among the few resilient crops that can adapt well to future climate change conditions, particularly increasing drought, soil salinity, and high temperatures. After the harvest, the inedible parts of the plant, the stalks and leaves, are left over and must be disposed of, most of the time by burning. Palm trees in Spain, as in most of the European regions where palms are cultivated, are mainly used as ornamental plants in urban areas. One of the most commonly used palm tree in landscaping is the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis Hort. Ex Chavaud). These palm trees are pruned up to twice a year in this region, producing huge amounts of biomass that are disposed of in landfills. In this experiment, physical and chemical parameters were determined in the different particle sizes (<0.25, 0.25–1, 1–2, and 2–4 mm) of the raw residual materials from pruning activities of mulberry (Morus alba L.), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.), and palm (Phoenix canariensis) to evaluate their suitability for use as growing substrate. According to the results obtained, it can be concluded that the alternative materials for substrate preparation obtained from the pruning wastes of Morus alba (MAPW), Sorghum vulgare (SVPW), and Phoenix canariensis (PCPW) had suitable values of physical properties related to substrate porosity and wetting capacity. These materials also had high or very high total organic carbon (C) to total nitrogen (N) ratio values and low nutrient contents, except for potassium (K) in SVPW and PCPW.     

Cesium uptake of field-grown Amaranthus species in Fukushima focusing on Cs concentration in xylem exudate and root distribution

ABSTRACT

Radiocesium (RCs) discharged by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.) accident has extensively contaminated agricultural land in Fukushima Prefecture and its neighboring areas. Many studies have demonstrated that Cs (RCs and ¹³³Cs) uptake of plants is affected by the exchangeable K (Ex-K) concentration in soil. However, the precise plant–soil interaction in relation to Cs uptake is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate Cs uptake of plant in field by focusing on xylem exudate and roots because nutrients in xylem exudate reflect medium (soil) conditions and affect nutrient accumulation in shoots. Two varieties of amaranth, K4 (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and Mexico type (A. hypochondriacus L.), which have different Cs uptake abilities, were grown in four fields and in pots (750 to 3440 Bq kg^?1 of RCs) in Fukushima Prefecture. Cs concentrations in xylem exudate, shoot, and soil; Ex-K concentration in soil; and root distribution in soil were determined. RCs concentration in xylem exudate varied from 0.04 to 164 Bq kg^?1 and ¹³³Cs concentration in xylem exudate ranged from 0.01 to 33.7 μg kg^?1. The Cs concentrations were decreased by the high Ex-K concentration and the large amount of 2:1 type clay minerals in soil. The average of the ratios of Cs concentration in shoot to Cs concentration in xylem exudate for all samples was 127 ± 112 (mean ± standard deviation), although no clear correlation was found between them. The correlations betwee\n RCs and ¹³³Cs concentrations in xylem exudate and shoot were strong in pot and in the field with low Ex-K concentration. Eighty-five percent of the total root length was distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm soil layer). The positions where roots take up Cs were estimated from the differences in the vertical distribution of RCs and ¹³³Cs concentrations in soil. The estimated Cs uptake ratios of topsoil to total soil layer ranged from 7% to 91% and varied with the concentration and the vertical distribution of Ex-K in soil.     

Effects of excess manganese and metal chelators on micronutrient concentrations in the xylem sap of iron-deficient barley plants

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) plants were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse for 14 d under Fe-deficient conditions before treatment for 3 h with excess Mn (25 µM) and equimolar amounts of plant-borne (phytosiderophores, PS) or synthetic (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, EDTA) metal chelators. The xylem sap was collected for 3 h and analyzed for PS, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and citrate concentrations. Excess Mn in the feeding medium decreased the concentrations of PS, Fe, Zn, and Cu in the xylem sap. Addition of 25 µM Mn and an equimolar amount of PS to the feeding medium increased the concentrations of PS, Fe, and Cu in the xylem sap, while EDTA decreased the concentrations of PS and the above nutrients. Excess Mn in the feeding medium increased the Mn concentration in the xylem sap and this increase was more pronounced with the addition of PS to the feeding medium, while EDTA had a depressing effect. These findings suggested that the roots of Fe-deficient barley plants can enhance the absorption and/or translocation of both Mn²⁺ and a PS-Mn complex. Addition of excess Mn to the feeding medium, irrespective of chelators, did not affect the xylem citrate concentration, indicating that citrate may not contribute to the translocation of metal micronutrients. In the xylem sap of Fe-deficient barley plants, the concentrations of metal micronutrients were positively correlated with the concentrations of PSG