CO2 fixation in stem slices of Picea abies (L.) Karst: microautoradiographic studies

Abstract

Microautoradiography was used to show that chlorophyllous cells of young Picea abies stem slices are able to fix 14CO2, in the dark as well as in the light. The amount of 14CO2 fixed in the dark is much lower than that in the light. In the dark the concentration of radioactive label is equally high in all chlorophyllous cells of the stem. In the light, however, a gradient of radioactive assimilates extends from the stem surface to its centre, with the highest concentration being located in the phelloderm and the outer one-third of the cortex. This is in spite of even illumination and CO2 supply across the whole stem slice. In the dark, stem slices with and without bark show the same amount of radioactive label in the chlorophyllous cells of xylem, perimedullary region and pith. In the light, however, the concentration of radioactive assimilates in these cells is much higher in stem slices with bark than in stem slices without bark. It is assumed therefore that light fixation products of phelloderm and cortex are transported radially into the tissue inside the cambium.