Transport of divalent cations: cation exchange capacity of intact xylem vessels.

The cation exchange capacity of the intact xylem vessels in cut shoots of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus spec.) has been determined. The cation exchange capacity is independent of the cation concentration in the transpiration stream, and is equal for Ca and Co. The high value of the cation exchange capacity (0.6 to 1 x 10(-7) equivalents per square centimeter vessel wall surface) leads to the hypothesis that the porous structure of the vessel wall, and not only the inner vessel wall surface, acts as a cation exchanger.Differences between anion ([(32)P]phosphate, [(45)Ca]EDTA(2-), [(115)Cd(m)]-EDTA(2-)), and cation ([(45)Ca](2+), [(115)Cd(m)](2+)) movement are explained in terms of transport with the transpiration flux or by exchange reactions. The competition between exchange sites and natural or synthetic ligands for the divalent cations is discussed.