Collection of gravitropic effectors from mucilage of electrotropically-stimulated roots of Zea mays L

Ann Bot. 1987:59:657-9. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a087363.

Abstract

We placed agar blocks adjacent to tips of electrotropically stimulated primary roots of Zea mays. Blocks placed adjacent to the anode-side of the roots for 3 h induced significant curvature when subsequently placed asymmetrically on tips of vertically-oriented roots. Curvature was always toward the side of the root unto which the agar block was placed. Agar blocks not contacting roots and blocks placed adjacent to the cathode-side of electrotropically stimulated roots did not induce significant curvature when placed asymmetrically on tips of vertically-oriented roots. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry indicated that blocks adjacent to the anode-side of electrotropically-stimulated roots contained significantly more calcium than (1) blocks not contacting roots, and (2) blocks contacting the cathode-side of roots. These results demonstrate the presence of a gradient of endogenous Ca in mucilage of electrotropically-stimulated roots (i.e. roots undergoing gravitropic-like curvature).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / physiology
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electricity*
  • Electrodes
  • Gravitropism / physiology*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / physiology*
  • Tropism / physiology*
  • Zea mays / growth & development
  • Zea mays / metabolism
  • Zea mays / physiology*

Substances

  • Calcium