INCORPORATION OF D-[U-C-14]GLUCOSE AND 14CO2 INTO THE CELL-WALL POLYMERS OF FLAX HYPOCOTYL, IN THE COURSE OF THE FIBER DIFFERENTIATION

Cellulose deposits in the fibres of flax hypocotyl were observed on tr ansverse sections of the distal part, after several days of plant grow th under continuous light. The secondary cellulose of the fibres was n ot labelled preferentially when a pulse of (CO2)-C-14 was given. Conve rsely, the D-[U-C-14]-glucose was well incorporated into the fibre sec ondary cellulose, whatever the day of the pulse. The glucose was, firs t incorporated into storage polysaccharides (probably starch) and used when needed, for secondary cellulose deposits.