A simple and high-throughput method for xylem sap collection

Abstract

Xylem is the most important route for root-to-shoot translocation of water, nutrients and signaling molecules. Although a number of studies have been performed using xylem sap, its collection requires special equipment and is usually low throughput. Here, we developed a simple and high-throughput method for the collection of both medium- (<1 ml) and small-(<200 μl) volume xylem sap samples. Using a rice Cd transporter mutant, we demonstrated that our method allows for the effective evaluation of xylem sap Cd concentrations.