PATTERNS OF TURNOVER OF FRUCTANS IN LEAVES OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L.

Summary The patterns of labelling of fructans with different molecular weights and of fructose residues within chains were determined after cold‐grown plants of Dactylis glomerata L. were fed 14CO2. The coincidence of fructan mobilization and chain elongation, together with the occurrence of asymmetry in the labelling of individual chains, was taken as evidence for reversible transfer of terminal fructose residues between fructan chains during accumulation. These patterns are discussed in relation to the role of fructans in winter growth and survival in temperate grasses.