Growth Responses of Avena Stem Segments to Various Sugars

Abstract

THE internodal extension which occurs in stems of grasses with onset of reproductive phase is a remarkably striking morphogenetic process1, the causal basis for which has not been elucidated. We have been attacking this problem from several points of view, one of which is to culture excised stem segments on various substrates to assay by quantitative means the intercalary growth that occurs in internode portions of these segments. We wish to report here on the growth responses of Avena segments to a variety of sugars. It is quite possible that several of these may be directly implicated in intercalary growth of internodes of this plant in vivo.