Effect of Ribonuclease on Salt Absorption by Excised Mung Bean Roots

Abstract

Pretreatment of excised mung bean roots (Phaseolus aureus) with ribonuclease increased subsequent absorption of Rb in the absence of Ca and Mg. In the presence of Ca and Mg, treated roots absorbed markedly less Rb. Phosphate absorption was decreased both in the absence and presence of Ca by the ribonuclease treatment. Root cells pretreated with the enzyme stained less with toluidine blue than untreated cells. Desocyribonuclease had no effect on Rb uptake and on staining by toluidine blue. A ribonucleoprotein seemed to be involved in ion absorption by mung bean roots.