Distribution of copper and iron in heterotrophic phase of development and growth of vicia faba L.

Abstract

Distribution of Cu and Fe from the cotyledons to the root and the epicotyl of Vicia faba L. was studied during the heterotrophic phase of development and growth in dark. During this phase there was no significant difference in the distribution of the quantity of Cu in the root and in the epicotyl. When the plants had changed to the autotrophic phase, the distribution of Fe was significantly higher in the epicotyl than in the root. In roots both Cu and Fe were localized in the zone of root differentiation. The quantities of these elements in meristematic and elongation zones were about 15% and 25%, respectively. In regions of cell division and cell elongation of the root, the level of Cu was almost the same. On the contrary, the content of Fe in the zone of cell elongation was atout 3 times higher than in the meristematic zone.