Thigmomorphogenesis: On the mechanical properties of mechanically perturbed bean plants

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Abstract
The mechanical properties of control and mechanically perturbed (MP) bean stems (P. vulgaris L., cv. Cherokee wax) were compared. The rubbed plants were greatly hardened against mechanical rupture by previous MP [mechanical perturbation]. This hardening was due to a dramatic increase in the flexibility of the stems, but not in their stiffness. The MP-plants were able to bend > 90.degree. without breaking, whereas the control plants broke after just slight bending. A comparison with other work reveals that different species utilize different tactics for achieving similar resistance to rupture due to mechanical stress.