Diel patterns of leaf C export and of main shoot growth for Flaveria linearis with altered leaf sucrose–starch partitioning

Diel C export from source leaves of two Flaveria linearis lines [85-1: high cytosolic fructose-1,6bisphosphatase (cytFBPase) and 84-9: low cytFBPase] were estimated using three methods, including leaf steady-state 14 CO2 labelling, leaf metabolite analysis, and leaf dry mass analysis in conjunction with leaf CO2 exchange measurements. Synthesis and accumulation of starch during the daytime were much higher in 84-9. Relative 14 C-export (export as a % of photosynthesis) in the light was 36% higher in 85-1. The diel export patterns from 14 C-analyses correlated with those based on metabolite or dry weight/gas exchange analyses during the daytime, but not during the night. Night-time export estimated from 14 C-disappearance was 3.6 times lower than those estimated using the other methods. Even though the starch degradation at night was greater for 84-9, night-time export in 84-9 was similar to 85-1, since 84-9 showed both higher respiration and accumulation of soluble sugars (i.e. glucose) at night. Patterns of 14 C allocation to sink organs were also different in the two lines. Main stem growth was less in 84-9, being reduced most in the light when leaf export was lower relative to 85-1. Supplementation with sucrose for 1 h daily via the roots at a time when leaf export in 84-9 was low relative to 85-1 increased the stem growth rate of 84-9 to a level similar with that of 85-1. This study provides evidence that diel C availability predicted by source strength (e.g. C-export rate) influences main stem extension growth and the pattern of sink development in F. linearis.