Intercellular Inclusions in White Mustard Roots Induced by Colchicine Treatment

Abstract

DURING the course of an anatomical study of colchicine-induced hypertrophy in white mustard roots, attention has been given to some peculiar intercellular inclusions which are certainly not present in untreated roots. In this study, newly germinated seedlings are immersed in a 0·1 per cent colchicine solution for two hours, thoroughly washed in distilled water and then placed on moist filter paper to grow for a period of three days. At the end of this time, marked hypertrophy, characterized by stunted swollen root tips and an exceedingly dense development of root hairs, is obvious.