Conversaziones 1974

Abstract

CONVERSAZIONES were held this year on 9 May and 27 June. At the first conversazione twenty-seven exhibits and two films were shown. The fine structure of plant roots in relation to transport of nutrient ions and water was demonstrated by Dr D. T. Clarkson of the A.R.C. Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage and Dr A. W. Robards of the Department of Biology, University of York. Two major pathways by which nutrients and water move radially across the cortex towards the central vascular tissue have been distinguished by the use of tracer studies of adsorption by different zones of intact root systems, microautoradiography and electron microscopy. Movement can be apoplastic through cell walls, or symplastic between cells joined by plasmodesmata. As the root ages, structural changes in the endodermis reduce movement in the former pathway but the symplast is not interrupted by the elaboration of endodermal walls because plasmodesmatal connexions remain intact. These observations help explain the contrasting extent to which different ions and water reach the shoot from young and mature parts of root systems.