Plasmodesmata are plasma channels connecting neighboring cells and allowing the exchange of informational, functional and structural molecules and xenobiotics among cells of the same "group". Cells of the same domain behave as functional units, and substances are able to move between them at rates above the observed for trans-membrane movement. Plasmodesmata participate in long distance movement, both by association with phloem and interchange among neighboring domains. When the plant is under stress and xylem and phloem flux is slower, plasmodesmata could be more participative in long distance transport of systemic herbicide molecules. It remains to be fully understood whether there is a relationship among molecules of some herbicide groups and proteins embedded in the inner surface of plasmodesmata, to determine if some groups are able to manipulate the size of exclusion limit, independent of molecule size, as well as to verify if similarities between native compounds and herbicidal molecules result in higher rates of symplastic uptake. The deserving importance is not given to the role plasmodesmata plays in systemic herbicidal transport within the plant. However, the progress achieved with works related to marked products and plant physiology research intensification will eventually elucidate some not so clear aspects involving herbicide uptake by xylem and phloem, and their association with apoplast and symplastic domains.
symplast; translocation; plant physiology
