Iron Localization in Pea Plants

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Abstract
Macro- and microautoradio-graphic procedures were employed to localize soluble as well as insoluble iron during the initial stages of its distribution in non-chlorotic plants. Roots placed in 0. 5 ppm Fe as FeCl3 were rapidly covered with iron particles. Parenchyma cells in roots of iron-starved plants absorbed more iron and transferred less of it to the transpiration stream than did cells in roots which had previously received ample iron. 2, 4-Dinitrophenol inhibited the iron absorption. In the leaves much of the incoming iron was at first associated with the phloem and border parenchyma of vascular bundles. Though incoming iron accumulated in the vascular tissues, there was no evidence it was inactivated or precipitated in the xylem. Rapid iron absorption in certain plant tissues such as roots or vascular bundles was interpreted as a normal occurrence rather than as a pathological manifestation.