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Acid growth effects in maize roots: Evidence for a link between auxin-economy and proton extrusion in the control of root growth

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Abstract

The role of proton excretion in the growth of apical segments of maize roots has been examined. Growth is stimulated by acidic buffers and inhibited by neutral buffers. Organic buffers such as 2[N-morpholino] ethane sulphonic acid (MES) — 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3 diol (Tris) are more effective than phosphate buffers in inhibiting growth. Fusicoccin(FC)-induced growth is also inhibited by neutral buffers. The antiauxins 4-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (PCIB) and 2-(naphthylmethylthio) propionic acid (NMSP) promote growth and H+-excretion over short time periods; this growth is also inhibited by neutral buffers. We conclude that growth of maize roots requires proton extrusion and that regulation of root growth by indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) may be mediated by control of this proton extrusion.

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Abbreviations

IAA:

indol-3yl-acetic acid

ABA:

abscisic acid

FC:

fusicoccin

PCIB:

4-chlorophenoxy-isobutyric acid

MES:

2(N-morpholino)ethane sulphonic acid

Tris:

2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl) propane-1,3-diol

NMSP:

2-(naphthylmethylthio)propionic acid

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Author notes

  1. M. M. Moloney

    Present address: Institut de Biologie et de Physiologie Végétales, Université de Lausanne, CH-1005, Lausanne, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, Leicester Polytechnic, LE1 9BH, Leicester, UK

    M. M. Moloney & M. C. Elliott

  2. Department of Botany, University of Washington, 98105, Seattle, WA, USA

    R. E. Cleland

Authors
  1. M. M. Moloney
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  2. M. C. Elliott
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  3. R. E. Cleland
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Moloney, M.M., Elliott, M.C. & Cleland, R.E. Acid growth effects in maize roots: Evidence for a link between auxin-economy and proton extrusion in the control of root growth. Planta 152, 285–291 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388251

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388251

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