Studies on the Growth Hormone of Plants

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Abstract
Quantitative gravimetric estimations were made of the cell wall material formed by excised sections of the Avena coleoptile during elongation of these sections in sols. of the plant growth hormone (auxin). At 25[degree]C and in the absence of external nutrient the ratio of total cell wall weight to total section length is constant; new cell wall is formed as quickly as the cells of the section elongate. At 2[degree]C, however, no new cell wall is formed although the sections continue to grow. The formation of cell wall is not, therefore, a necessary accompaniment of the action of the plant growth hormone in causing cell elongation. This conclusion is supported by the fact that at 25[degree] C but in the presence of 1% fructose the ratio of total cell wall weight to total section length increases over the ratio found for elongation in the hormone alone. The formation of cell wall is thus related primarily to the nutritive condition of the cell and not to the presence of the hormone. It follows that "active growth" by intussusception of new wall substance is not necessary in the case of the Avena coleoptile.
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