Approaches for Nondestructive Spatial Distribution Measurements in Whole Plants using Radionuclides

• Published in: Journal of plant physiology 1999-08, Vol.155 (2), p.165-172
• Main Authors: Krijger, G.C., Verburg, T.G., Den Hollander, W., Hermans, P.M.J.A., De Goeij, J.J.M., Wolterbeek, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Cell physiology; Cells, cell elements: structure and function; distribution; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; imaging; in vivo; Lycopersicon esculentum; Morphology. Anatomy. Histology. Cytology; Plant physiology and development; redistribution; tomato plant
• ISSN: 0176-1617; 1618-1328
• DOI: 10.1016/S0176-1617(99)80003-0

The possibilities of in vivo 1D and 3D imaging of γ-emitting radionuclides are explored on the whole plant level, using 99mTc and 75Se in a case study. Both imaging approaches showed a linearity between the counting signal of the system and the radioactivity in the individual leaves. A radioactivity level down to 10 kBq per leaf was determined adequately, corresponding to 19 fmol Tc or 58 nmol Se. However, the complex plant geometry of the tomato plants ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill, cv. Tiny Tim) required the 3 D approach for studying the distribution of root-added [ 99mTc] TcO 4 − and [ 75Se] SeO 4 2− in a dual tracer experiment. Both tracers showed a similar distribution pattern, probably dependent on the transpiration stream. In contrast, the redistribution of the tracers was shown to be quite different; almost all Tc remained in one preloaded mature leaf, while 96.4% of the Se was redistributed within 21 days. The potential of the presented imaging approaches is discussed in the field of plant research.