Development of new imaging method for visualising photosynthate translocation and release in plant root systems

Yin, Y.-G.*; Suzui, Nobuo*; Kurita, Keisuke  ; Miyoshi, Yuta*; Unno, Yusuke*; Fujimaki, Shu*; Nakamura, Takuji*; Shinano, Takuro*; Kawachi, Naoki*

In this study, we developed a new method to visualize and evaluate the movement of C-photosynthates into the root system and 11C-rhizodeposits released in the soil coupled with positional information using the positron-emitting tracer imaging system. A newly developed rhizobox was consisted of a square nylon mesh bag containing the root system and a pair of soil boxes, and it could be distinguishing the C signal of soil from that of root. Test plants of white lupin (Lupinus albus) and soybean (Glycine max) were grown in the rhizobox, and fed CO as a pulse. Simultaneously, the behavior of 11C-photosynthates into the root system and the distribution of C-rhizodeposits released in the rhizosphere soil were visualized.