During the development of the haustorium, searching hyphae of the parasite and the host parenchyma cells are connected by plasmodesmata. Using transgenic tobacco plants expressing a GFP-labelled movement protein of the tobacco mosaic virus, it was demonstrated that the interspecific plasmodesmata are open. The transfer of substances in the phloem from host to the parasite is not selective. After simultaneous application of 3H-sucrose and 14C-labelled phloem-mobile amino acids, phytohormones, and xenobiotica to the host, corresponding percentages of the translocated compounds are found in the parasite. An open continuity between the host phloem and the Cuscuta phloem via the haustorium was demonstrated in CLSM pictures after application of the phloem-mobile fluorescent probes, carboxyfluorescein (CF) and hydroxypyrene trisulphonic acid (HPTS), to the host. Using a Cuscuta bridge 14C-sucrose and the virus PVYN were transferred from one host plant to the another. The results of translocation experiments with labelled compounds, phloem-mobile dyes and the virus should be considered as unequivocal evidence for a symplastic transfer of phloem solutes between Cuscuta species and their compatible hosts.

During the development of the haustorium, searching hyphae of the parasite and the host parenchyma cells are connected by plasmodesmata. Using transgenic tobacco plants expressing a GFP-labelled movement protein of the tobacco mosaic virus, it was demonstrated that the interspecific plasmodesmata are open. The transfer of substances in the phloem from host to the parasite is not selective. After simultaneous application of 3H-sucrose and 14C-labelled phloem-mobile amino acids, phytohormones, and xenobiotica to the host, corresponding percentages of the translocated compounds are found in the parasite. An open continuity between the host phloem and the Cuscuta phloem via the haustorium was demonstrated in CLSM pictures after application of the phloem-mobile fluorescent probes, carboxyfluorescein (CF) and hydroxypyrene trisulphonic acid (HPTS), to the host. Using a Cuscuta bridge 14C-sucrose and the virus PVYN were transferred from one host plant to the another. The results of translocation experiments with labelled compounds, phloem-mobile dyes and the virus should be considered as unequivocal evidence for a symplastic transfer of phloem solutes between Cuscuta species and their compatible hosts.

During the development of the haustorium, searching hyphae of the parasite and the host parenchyma cells are connected by plasmodesmata. Using transgenic tobacco plants expressing a GFP-labelled movement protein of the tobacco mosaic virus, it was demonstrated that the interspecific plasmodesmata are open. The transfer of substances in the phloem from host to the parasite is not selective. After simultaneous application of 3H-sucrose and 14C-labelled phloem-mobile amino acids, phytohormones, and xenobiotica to the host, corresponding percentages of the translocated compounds are found in the parasite. An open continuity between the host phloem and the Cuscuta phloem via the haustorium was demonstrated in CLSM pictures after application of the phloem-mobile fluorescent probes, carboxyfluorescein (CF) and hydroxypyrene trisulphonic acid (HPTS), to the host. Using a Cuscuta bridge 14C-sucrose and the virus PVYN were transferred from one host plant to the another. The results of translocation experiments with labelled compounds, phloem-mobile dyes and the virus should be considered as unequivocal evidence for a symplastic transfer of phloem solutes between Cuscuta species and their compatible hosts.

Compartmentation fluxes of carbohydrates along the phloem path were analysed in the petiole of Cyclamen persicum (L.) Mill. Sucrose represented the dominant fraction (58–75% of soluble carbohydrates in the vascular symplast). Planteose (12–22%), glucose (3–8%) and fructose (3–13%) occurred in lower amounts (data from liquid chromatography, percentages of the total peak area). Starch was not detectable. Upon feeding leaves with 14CO2, 98% and 90% of radiolabel was recovered as sucrose in the vascular symplast after 3 h and 24 h, respectively. Thus, sucrose appeared to be the exclusive transport sugar in Cyclamen. Experiments with asymmetrically labelled sucrose revealed that there was no metabolism of translocated sucrose. Analysis of six consecutive petiole segments (each 2 cm in length) showed a homogeneous longitudinal distribution of sucrose and planteose. The lateral distribution of these sugars differed markedly. On average, the sucrose concentration amounted to 4.7 and 0.4 mg g−1 FM in the vascular apoplast and petiole parenchyma, respectively. Sucrose was unloaded without hydrolysis and stored in the periphery of the phloem path. Planteose was identified as another storage saccharide. Sucrose synthesis by sucrose phosphate synthase occurred when isolated vascular bundles were incubated with [14C]glucose or [14C]fructose. These data suggest that the phloem path is characterized by both source and sink like activity.

Compartmentation fluxes of carbohydrates along the phloem path were analysed in the petiole of Cyclamen persicum (L.) Mill. Sucrose represented the dominant fraction (58–75% of soluble carbohydrates in the vascular symplast). Planteose (12–22%), glucose (3–8%) and fructose (3–13%) occurred in lower amounts (data from liquid chromatography, percentages of the total peak area). Starch was not detectable. Upon feeding leaves with 14CO2, 98% and 90% of radiolabel was recovered as sucrose in the vascular symplast after 3 h and 24 h, respectively. Thus, sucrose appeared to be the exclusive transport sugar in Cyclamen. Experiments with asymmetrically labelled sucrose revealed that there was no metabolism of translocated sucrose. Analysis of six consecutive petiole segments (each 2 cm in length) showed a homogeneous longitudinal distribution of sucrose and planteose. The lateral distribution of these sugars differed markedly. On average, the sucrose concentration amounted to 4.7 and 0.4 mg g−1 FM in the vascular apoplast and petiole parenchyma, respectively. Sucrose was unloaded without hydrolysis and stored in the periphery of the phloem path. Planteose was identified as another storage saccharide. Sucrose synthesis by sucrose phosphate synthase occurred when isolated vascular bundles were incubated with [14C]glucose or [14C]fructose. These data suggest that the phloem path is characterized by both source and sink like activity.

Compartmentation fluxes of carbohydrates along the phloem path were analysed in the petiole of Cyclamen persicum (L.) Mill. Sucrose represented the dominant fraction (58–75% of soluble carbohydrates in the vascular symplast). Planteose (12–22%), glucose (3–8%) and fructose (3–13%) occurred in lower amounts (data from liquid chromatography, percentages of the total peak area). Starch was not detectable. Upon feeding leaves with 14CO2, 98% and 90% of radiolabel was recovered as sucrose in the vascular symplast after 3 h and 24 h, respectively. Thus, sucrose appeared to be the exclusive transport sugar in Cyclamen. Experiments with asymmetrically labelled sucrose revealed that there was no metabolism of translocated sucrose. Analysis of six consecutive petiole segments (each 2 cm in length) showed a homogeneous longitudinal distribution of sucrose and planteose. The lateral distribution of these sugars differed markedly. On average, the sucrose concentration amounted to 4.7 and 0.4 mg g−1 FM in the vascular apoplast and petiole parenchyma, respectively. Sucrose was unloaded without hydrolysis and stored in the periphery of the phloem path. Planteose was identified as another storage saccharide. Sucrose synthesis by sucrose phosphate synthase occurred when isolated vascular bundles were incubated with [14C]glucose or [14C]fructose. These data suggest that the phloem path is characterized by both source and sink like activity.