Role of Concentration-dependent Unloading in Mathematical Models of Münch Transport.

It has been erroneously claimed (Goeschl et al. [1976] Plant Physiol. 58: 556-562) that concentration-dependent unloading is required for a correct mathematical solution for Münch phloem transport. Although it may prove to be physiologically correct, concentration-dependent unloading is not a mathematical necessity. Furthermore, its use in a mathematical model may not be desirable, because there is an infinite family of solutions for any given unloading distribution, irrespective of whether concentration-dependent unloading is assumed. Some illustrative numerical results are presented.