Uptake and Metabolism of Sucrose in Cut Roses1

When placed in either the modified Cornell Solution (2% sucrose + 200 mg/1 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate) or distilled water, levels of l4 C-labelled compounds in Rosa hybrida “Red American Beauty” flowers increased linearly. Girdling the stems decreased accumulation of 14 C in the petal tissue by only 25%. Fructose and glucose were the predominant sugars in petal tissues with only minor amounts of sucrose. Addition of sucrose to the preservative solution increased the levels of glucose and fructose but had little affect on the sucrose content. The data indicate that inferences of sugar accumulation in petals cannot be made from data on xylem conductivity.