Effect of substrate Zn level on distribution of photo-assimilated C14 in maize and bean plants

Maize and pea bean plants were grown for 2 weeks in Zn-deficient soil fertilized with varying levels of Fe and Zn. The plants were then exposed to C14O2 for 2 minutes and after harvest the ethanolsoluble photosynthate was fractionated into carbohydrates, organic acids, and amino acids. There appeared to be a general increase in the CO2 assimilation rate by maize with increasing rate of Zn; rates were slightly higher with applied Fe, at each Zn level. In contrast to maize, the rate of assimilation by pea beans was unaffected by substrate Zn and was slightly lower with application of Fe, especially in the carbohydrate fraction. Increasing rates of applied Zn had little effect on concentration of Fe and Mn in the maize or pea bean tops. However, application of Fe resulted in a depression in Zn concentration of maize. Despite the relatively high levels of Zn in the tissue of both species, there was no increase in total organic acids assimilated or any indication of gross metabolic imbalances.