Long-distance transport of pertechnetate in the moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

► The vascular transport pathway of metastable-technetium-99 in plants is not clear. ► Nuclear medicine techniques were used to obtain images of 99mTc in the moonflower. ► Translocation of the radionuclide is incompatible with transport by the phloem. ► 99mTc transport characteristics are those of a xylem-mobile nutrient analog. ► The research has implications for 99mTc as a tracer and modeling 99Tc uptake.