The Reciprocal Transfer of Radiocarbon between a Developing Tiller and its Parent Shoot in Vegetative Plants of Lolium multiflorum Lam.

The transfer of 14C-labelled assimilates between a tiller and its parent shoot was examined in young plants of Lolium multiflorum Lam. Radiocarbon was exported freely from an expanded lamina to sinks within the shoot axis from which it originated and to the root system. Lesser amounts of radiocarbon were exported to the other shoot. It is suggested that the reciprocal exchange of radiocarbon between tiller and main shoot occurred principally via a direct pathway through stem tissues rather than via a pathway involving the roots.