ACCUMULATION OF ARGININE IN VISCUM ALBUM L - SEASONAL VARIATIONS AND HOST DEPENDENCY

摘要

Leaves and stems of Viscum album accumulate large quantities of soluble nitrogen in form of arginine. The extent of accumulation depends on the species of host; the highest concentration of arginine occurred in mistletoes on species of Fabaceae. Marked seasonal fluctuations comprising a peak of accumulation in May followed by a dramatic depletion of the arginine pool during shoot development could be observed in mistletoes on apple trees. The newly formed leaves and stems contain increasing amounts of arginine in autumn and winter The data suggest that mistletoes accumulate arginine temporarily when nitrogen is available in the xylem sap of the host.