Geotropic Response of Coleoptiles under Anaerobic Conditions1

Abstract
Under anaerobic conditions detached, de-leafed coleoptiles of Avena sativa and Zea mays show no geotropic curvature, even after being in the horizontal position for 15 hr. During this time coleoptiles kept in air developed a large upward curvature. The coleoptiles were obviously not damaged by being deprived of O2 for 15 hr. because on the readmission of air to the chamber they rapidly developed an upward curvature, to the case of A. sativa this curvature occurred at approximately the same rate as in freshly harvested coleoptiles. On the other hand, in all 4 experiments with Z. mays coleoptiles the rate of curvature of the coleoptiles previously exposed to anaerobic conditions was slightly greater than that of freshly harvested coleoptiles.