NONSTRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATES IN DESCHAMPSIA-ANTARCTICA DESV FROM SOUTHSHETLAND ISLANDS, MARITIME ANTARCTIC

Deschampsia antarctica Desv. (Angiosperm: family Graminaceae) plants w ere collected from Robert Island, South Shetland Islands, Maritime Ant arctic, during February, 1992 and January, 1993, and were extracted wi th 80% ethanol. Total soluble sugars were analyzed in leaves and roots by colorimetric and HPLC techniques. Compared with other gramineae, t he levels of sucrose and fructans were higher. These substances reache d their maximum levels by the end of summer. The levels of sucrose and fructans found in February, 1992 were twice the level found in Januar y, 1993. We suggest that the unusually high accumulation of sucrose an d fructans may be one of the protective mechanisms against low tempera ture that has allowed D. antarctica to grow in the Maritime Antarctic.