CARBOHYDRATE PARTITIONING AND METABOLISM DURING ACCLIMATIZATION OF MICROPROPAGATED CALATHEA

Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and compartmentation were studie d during the acclimatization of tissue cultured Calathea plantlets. At transplantation plants were characterised by a heterotrophic metaboli sm with roots and stems as the main storage organs for carbohydrates. As acclimatization proceeded, a switch to autotrophic growth was obser ved: leaves became source organs, which was among others reflected by significant increases of invertase, sucrose synthase and sucrose-P syn thase activities. Mobilization of reserves in roots and stems was also observed during the same period. Sucrose and starch accumulation in l eaves was positively correlated with increasing light intensity.