Genetic Variability in the Uptake, Distribution and Utilization of Sulphur

Genetic variability in the uptake, distribution and utilization of sulphate-S³⁵ was studied in five-days old seedlings of seven maize genotypes. Considerable differences were observed in all these characters. High shoot/root ratio did not necessarily result in more uptake or translocation of sulphur to the shoot. No heterotic effect was observed either in uptake, distribution or utilization except for the incorporation of S³⁵ into amino-acids in roots. The ability to incorporate sulphate-S³⁵ into amino-acids and proteins in shoot also varied in different strains.