Relation of Kind of Food Reserves to Regeneration in Tomato Plants

Abstract

1. It was very noticeable that in cuttings high in nitrogen, grown in the light in a nutrient solution lacking nitrates, considerable shoot growth resulted, and that in some cases more growth resulted than if nitrates were present in the solution. 2. The presence of nitrates in the nutrient solution in the case of nitrogen-high cuttings appeared to be unfavorable for root growth. If the carbohydrate reserves are exceedingly limited, the nutrient solution containing nitrates may also be unfavorable for shoot growth. In striking contrast with this condition, the same sort of solution favored development of shoots from cuttings high in carbohydrates. In this case root growth was also favored, although to a less extent. 3. In general, it seems that when the carbohydrate reserve is high and the nitrogen supply within the plant or in the nutrient solution is low, there may be a vigorous root growth. When the relative percentage of nitrogen either within or without is slightly higher, there may also be a vigorous shoot growth.