Exit from the Mitotic Cycle in Root Meristems of Zea mays L.

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Abstract
The choice between two modes of exit from the mitotic cycle at the margins of meristems has been made easier by surveying the range of the numbers of cell contacts between contiguous files in root apices of Zea mays L. The range shows that some cells must go out of cycle while others remain in cycle for at least three further generations. The view that cycling ends by a fall in the proliferative fraction is supported by the existence of pulse-labelled telophases in the proximal region of the menstem. These are most likely due to acceleration of the mitotic cycle which has to be contrasted with deceleration of the overall rate of cell proliferation. The work is discussed in relation to patterns of cycling in the different tissues of the apex.