Abstract
Recently imaging technique using fluorescent probes has developed. However, fluorescent imaging cannot be performed under light condition and it is extremely difficult to carry out numerical treatment. To overcome these problems, we developed real-time imaging systems which can visualize any beta-ray emitters except for tritium. A sample box was prepared to irradiate light at above-ground part of the plant and keep roots in dark. When 32P-phosphate was applied in culture solution, not only the phosphate uptake manner of roots but also translocation of phosphate was able to visualize. In a soybean plant, as soon as phosphate was taken up from the roots, it was selectively moved up to younger tissues in above-ground part. In some leaves, phosphate was accumulated between the leaves vain. In pods, phosphate was first accumulated at the bottom part of the pod and then accumulated equally in each seed. With this system it was able to image the phosphate uptake manner of the root. In a microscopic level of imaging, a fluorescent microscope was remodeled so that a radioisotope image was taken at the same time with that of the fluorescent one. The resolution is now about 0.1mm.
