Abstract
THE development of relatively simple techniques for the chromatographic separation of growth-active fractions from plant extracts, and their detection by chromogenic reagents, has led to the conclusion that indoleacetic acid and other indole compounds are the principal naturally occurring growth substances, as detectable in the coleoptile straight-growth test. In many instances, however, the characterization of growth-active fractions as indole or non-indole compounds has been based on insufficient evidence, or lack of awareness as to the sensitivity or specificity of the techniques used. For example, the growth activity in extracts of potato tubers has been ascribed to the presence of several indole compounds1–3, yet no single investigator has demonstrated a correlation between colour reaction and biological activity for chromatograms developed in a number of solvent systems.
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