Metabolism and translocation of 1,2-14C(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid in Prunus persica (L) Batsch

Experiments were performed on "Andross" peach trees. At the end of stage I of fruit development, 60 one year-old shoots, were selected; in each shoot one fruit and an upper developing branch were maintained separated by 10 cm. In half of the experimental units, fruits were treated individually by applying 100 μl (2 μC1) 1,2-14C(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (14C-CEPA). In the other half 14C-CEPA was applied to the abaxial surface of the basal leaf of the developing branch which was decapitated. In each experimental unit the fruit, the leaf and the shoot tissue between them were harvested separately at 24, 48, and 96 h after treatment. All samples extracted with acidic methanol (AM)(1% HCl in 100% methanol), and partitioned with petroleum ether (PE), were chromatographed on TLC plates (Merck Sil-plate, F-52, 0.25 mm) using n-propanol:water (85:15 v/v) as solvent. Radioactivity of the plates was assayed in a liquid scintillation spectrometer (Packard, Tri-Carb, mod 2003).