Visualization of ion transport in plants

Abstract

We have developed a real-time radioisotope imaging system (RRIS) to visualize ion transport in plants, and to measure radioactivity in living plants. To know the mechanisms of ion transport in plants, the use of living plants allows us to visualize ion movement in real time. In addition, the RRIS can analyze how a change to the plant environment affects ion transport. In this chapter, we will introduce some of the applications of the RRIS. We analyzed the effect of light on cesium, potassium, magnesium, phosphate, and calcium transport in plants using the RRIS. The results show that magnesium, potassium, and calcium transport in plants were not influenced by light. On the other hand, the amount of cesium and phosphate absorption in roots decreased after light-off. Moreover, the amount of phosphate transport from root to shoot also decreased after light-off.