PHOTOSYNTHATE PARTITIONING AND ENZYMES OF SUCROSE METABOLISM IN SUGARBEET ROOTS

Populations of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) plants that differed in taproot/leaf weight ratio and in photosynthate partitioning between taproots and fibrous roots did not differ in root/shoot ratio as indicated by relative dry weight distribution. Based on the hypothesis that dry weight distribution is influenced by the metabolism of imported sucrose, we examined the relationships between the activity of the enzymes of sucrose metabolism and dry weight distribution as a function of genotype and ontogeny. A decreased specific activity of acid invertase in taproots was associated with increased taproot/fibrous root weight ratio at 21 and at 28 days post‐emergence. Alkaline invertase activity was negatively correlated with taproot/fibrous root weight ratio at 28 days. Sucrose synthetase specific activities of taproots were not correlated with dry matter distribution. Acid invertase may influence photosynthate partitioning between the taproot and fibrous roots via regulation of sucrose levels in the region of fibrous root initiation. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved