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Hydrolysis and Uptake of Pyrophosphate by Plant Roots¹

ABSTRACT

Pyro- and orthophosphate solutions were equally effective in supplying P to P-deficient wheat (Triticum vulgare), corn (Zea mays L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). P-deficient roots absorbed the pyrophosphate ion per se and also rapidly hydrolyzed the pyrophosphate as indicated by 40–55% of the P being present as the ortho form after 24 hours. It was concluded that this hydrolysis was caused by phosphatase present on external portions of the roots. Wheat roots which were P- deficient had approximately 1.6 times as much phosphatase activity as non-deficient roots (per unit weight) as determined by appearance of orthophosphate. Evidence indicated that P- deficient wheat roots exposed only to orthophosphate produced significant quantities of pyrophosphate.

¹ Paper no. 2904 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina State University Agr. Exp. Sta., Raleigh.

² Assistant Professor of Soil Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Received for publication June 13, 1969. Accepted for publication August 8, 1969.