title: Continuous measurement of initial curvature of maize coleoptiles induced by lateral auxin application.
abstract: To analyze early effects of auxin application, an apparatus was developed which continuously and simultaneously registered the curvature of 10 individual maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles. Resolution was less than 5 μm over a range of ±0.5 mm. The data were evaluated and plotted via paper tape and Hewlett-Packard-computer. Unilateral application of 3×10(-5) M indoleacetic acid (IAA) resulted in a transient inhibition of growth on the side of application for ca. 10 min (Phase I), followed by a strong stimulation (Phase II). The phytotoxin fusicoccin (FC) caused an immediate stimulation of elongation. The initial negative reaction of Phase I is auxin-specific. Only active auxins such as IAA and 1-naphtaleneacetic acid produced this initial inhibition; chemical analogs-inhibitory or neutral in long-term growth tests, e.g. phenylacetic acid-did not show any significant effects on Phase I. When the coleoptiles were symmetrically preloaded with different levels of auxin, only a large step-up of subsequent unilateral auxin application resulted in a negative phase I; a small step-up led to an immediate positive reaction. The results are discussed in context with the parallel kinetics for various other auxin-induced reactions of coleoptile cells which have already been published.
authors.affiliation: Institut Biologie III, Universität Freiburg, Schänzlestraße 1, D-7800, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ullrich