Production and Secretion of Sucrose by Sugar-cane Leaf Tissue

Abstract

Leaf discs, cut from mature plants of Saccharum officinarum were found to accumulate large quantities of starch and sugar, amounting to some 25 per cent of their initial dry weight, during 3 days of constant illumination. Secretion into the external medium of about one-third of the accumulated sucrose was effected by 10−4 M sodium iodoacetate. Concomitantly the inhibitor increased apparent photosynthesis. Various factors, including other respiratory inhibitors, failed to induce sucrose secretion, indicating a selective action of iodoacetate on the cell membranes.