Light‐controlled growth of the maize seedling mesocotyl: Mechanical cell‐wall changes in the elongation zone and related changes in lignification

Abstract

Cell extension in the mesocotyl elongation zone (MEZ) of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings is inhibited by light. The growth inhibition by blue light in the MEZ was reversible upon transfer to darkness. This experimental system was used for investigating the modification of mechanical cell‐wall properties and the role of cell‐wall lignification in cell elongation. The occurrence of lignin in the cortex and vascular bundle tissues of the MEZ was demonstrated by the isolation of diagnostic monomers released after thioacidolysis of the cell walls. Concomitantly with the inhibition of growth, blue light induces an increase in cell‐wall stiffness (tensile modulus) as well as an increase in extractable lignin in the outer MEZ tissues (cortex+epidermis). Both effects are reversed when growth is resumed in the MEZ in darkness after a period of growth inhibition induced by 3 h light. In the vascular bundle light produces no comparable change in lignin content. Appearance and disappearance of phenylpropanoid material in MEZ cell walls in the light, or in darkness following a brief light treatment, respectively, can be visualized under the fluorescence microscope by characteristic changes in autofluorescence of tissue sections upon excitation with UV radiation. It is concluded from these results that light‐induced lignification of primary walls is involved in cell‐wall stiffening and thus inhibition of elongation growth in the MEZ of maize seedlings. Resumption of growth upon redarkening may be initiated by wall loosening in the uppermost MEZ region which displaces the lignified cell walls towards the lower mesocotyl region.