XYLEM PATHWAYS IN ROSE PLANTS IN RELATION TO BASAL SHOOT DEVELOPMENT

Application of dyes to roots or shoots is an easy way to visualize xyl em pathways in plants. It was shown that upward transport was sectoria l straight. A main root appeared to contribute to the transport to sev eral basal shoots. Application of dyes to shoots showed that each basa l shoot is supplied by only a part of the root xylem. It is supposed t hat at the moment of appearance of a new basal shoot, the root xylem b ecomes enveloped by a new xylem cylinder, resulting in a limited area of root xylem serving the former developed shoot. The large variation in shoot diameter in a rose crop is discussed in relation to xylem sys tems.