Influence of sulphur supply on glucose and ATP concentrations of inoculated broad beans (Vicia faba minor L.)

In the present study, the influence of S supply on S concentrations, N₂ fixation, available amounts of glucose and adenylates of Vicia faba minor L. were weekly investigated, starting 6 weeks after sowing. Glucose was determined photometrically in shoots, roots and nodules and in ATP, ADP and AMP by bioluminescence in roots, mitochondria and bacteroids. Sulphur deficiency resulted in significantly lower S concentrations of shoots, roots and nodules, in a reduced N₂ fixation as well as in significantly lower amounts of glucose in shoots and nodules. In roots and bacteroids, S deficiency resulted in lower ATP concentrations, while the influence of S supply on ADP and AMP was less pronounced. With optimum S supply, the available amounts of glucose and ATP were strongly influenced by flower formation and seed development. Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. W. Werner on the occasion of his 75th birthday.