Question

If one wants to find minerals and in the form they are mobilised in the plant, how will an analysis of the exudate help?

Answer 1

Exudate:

Exudate is the plant sap that oozes out from the plant. The sap contains water and dissolved organic and inorganic substances.


Exudate analysis:

An analysis of the xylem exudates has shown the following:-

• Nitrogen is translocated in inorganic ion form and organic form as amino acids.
• Small amounts of phosphorus and sulphur are translocated in organic forms.
• Xylem and phloem also exchange some amount of material.

Therefore xylem and phloem can carry organic nutrients as well as inorganic nutrients.


Conclusion:


Exudates' analysis would help to find minerals and in which form they are mobilised in the plant as exudates are often plant sap which contains xylem along phloem sap.