Fructans synthesized from newly formed assimilates accumulate in wheat stems as nonstructural carbohydrates. Experiments performed tested the hypothesis that the fructose moiety from translocated sucrose is used preferentially in biosynthesis of these fructans. Results indicated: (a) a large percentage of labeled sucrose was translocated and unloaded in an unaltered state; and (b) sucrose contributed its fructose moiety to fructan synthesis in stems.