Drought induces fructan synthesis and 1-SST (sucrose : sucrose fructosyltransferase) in roots and leaves of chicory seedlings (Cichorium intybus L.)

Seeds of Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum cv. Flash were sown in acid-was hed vermiculite and grown in a controlled-environment growth chamber. After 1 month of growth, plantlets did not contain sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltr ansferase (1-SST), the key enzyme in fructan biosynthesis. No fructan could be observed. Some of the plants were submitted to drought for 2 weeks. Glu cose, fructose and sucrose concentrations increased in roots and leaves of stressed plants and the fructan concentration in roots and leaves was ten t imes higher than in control plants. The onset of fructan synthesis coincide d with the increase in 1-SST activity in roots. Expression of the 1-SST gen e could be observed in roots and leaves of stressed plants.