Untersuchungen über den Zusammenhang zwischen der Verteilung der Assimilate und der Saccharose-Synthetase-Aktivität in Solanum melongena L. 2. Assimilatverteilung und Saccharose-Synthetase-Aktivität

Abstract

Summary Growing fruit had a marked influence on the distribution of assimilates within eggplants ( Solanum melongena L.). After fruit set growth rates of fruit increased whereas those of leaves, shoots and roots decreased. Later, during fruit ripening, the growth rates of the leaves, shoots and roots again increased. A similar time course was found for the activity of sucrose synthetase (UDP-glucose: D-fructose 2-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.13) in fruit, leaves, shoots and roots. When fruit reached their highest growth rates more than 80% of the net dry matter produced in leaves was accumulated in the fruit. At the same time nearly 90% of the total sucrose synthetase activity of the plant was in the fruit. Because of the positive correlation between the distribution of assimilates and sucrose synthetase activity in eggplants and the role of the enzyme in sucrose metabolism in sink organs a causal relationship between the two factors can be assumed.