title: Temperature sensing by primary roots of maize.
abstract: Zea mays L. seedlings, grown on agar plates at 26 degrees C, reoriented the original vertical direction of their primary root when exposed to a thermal gradient applied perpendicular to the gravity vector.  The magnitude and direction of curvature can not be explained simply by either a temperature or a humidity effect on root elongation.  It is concluded that primary roots of maize sense temperature gradients in addition to sensing the gravitational force.
authors.affiliation: MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824.
authors.lastname: Fortin M-CA
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Poff
mesh_terms: D006112:Gravitation; D018522:Gravitropism / Q000502:physiology; D006813:Humidity; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature; D018523:Tropism / Q000502:physiology*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*