Azione esercitata da alcuni inibitori respiratori sulla crescita e sull'inverdimento di plantule di Picea abies e di Larix decidua

Abstract

Action of some respiratory inhibitors on growth and greening of seedlings of Picea and Larix.—The effects of sodium azide, arseniate, jodoacetate, fluoride and 2,4-dinitrophenol on growth and greening of dark germinated seedlings of Picea abies and Larix decidua were studied.

All the inhibitors showed a negative influence on growth (determined as fresh weight) of Picea seedlings and even more remarkably on Larix seedlings.

Greening was significantly inferior to that of control plants only for groups of Picea seedlings treated with sodium azide, at all the concentrations used, and for groups treated with fluoride and arseniate at the highest concentrations.

All the groups of Larix seedlings, instead, treated with inhibitors, with the exception of the ones treated with sodium fluoride at the lowest concentrations, presented a chlorophyll content inferior to that of control groups.

From the above results the different influence of inhibitors on Picea and on Larix seedlings might be due to the different metabolic pathways through which the pigment synthesis in the two species under study takes place.     

Osservazioni Anatomo-Fisiologiche Sulla Kleinia Articulata Haworth

Abstract

Ultrastructural modifications of plastids in leaflets of Larix decidua and Picea excelsa during sprouting of buds.—Ultrastructural modifications of plastids in leaflets of Larix decidua and Picea excelsa during sprouting of buds kept in different light conditions were observed.

While in quiescent buds of both species typical plastids with magnograna are present, fully expanded leaflets kept in the light have plastids with an organized lamellar apparatus.

When the buds are kept in darkness the cells of the fully expanded, etiolated leaflets have hardly differentiated plastids with prolamellar bodies partially modified into short tubules and vesicles.

Plastids of Picea and Larix buds, in their development, behave almost identically both in darkness and in the light.

The differences previously observed in dark grown seedlings of the two species are not to be found in buds.     

Azione esercitata dal cianuro sulla crescita e sull'inverdimento di plantule di Picea abies (L.) Karsten e di Larix decidua Miller

Abstract

Action of cyanide on growth and greening of seedlings of Picea abies and Larix decidua.—The effects of cyanide on growth and greening of dark germinated seedlings of Picea abies and Larix decidua are studied. While growth of Picea seedlings is scarcely inhibited, the effect of the inhibitor on Larix seedlings is very drastic. Greening of Picea seedlings is never inhibited while, at stronger concentrations, cyanide weakly inhibits greening of Larix seedlings. When seedlings are treated with cyanide and salicylhydrossamic acid, an inhibitor of mithocondrial respiration cyanide non-sensible, growth is inhibited more strongly than when cyanide only is used and greening too is inhibited. Cyanide is shown to be able to reach megagametophyte and embryo and to be incorporated steadily.     

L'Azione dell'Ossigeno Liquido Sulla Germinabilità dei Semi Duri di Ginestrino (Lotus Corniculatus L.) e di Ladino (Trifolium Repens L.)

Abstract

Comparative researches on morphology and physiology of PICEA and LARIX. Fresh weight and chlorophyll content in seedlings kept at various light intensities. — The fresh weight and the chlorophyll content of lots of seedlings from Larix decidua and Picea excelsa grown on sand for 12 days in climatic cell at 25 [ddot]C with 86% relative humidity and a light intensity of 90, 250, 500, 1.000, 2.000 and 4.000 lux were determined.

The fresh weight of Picea seedlings is not significantly affected by all light intensities except for 4.000 lux, where it is 20% higher. Even in dim light (90 lux) the fresh weight of Picea seedlings is only 7% inferior to that of the lot kept at 2.000 lux.

The results obtained in Larix are remarkably different; its fresh weight is more influenced by the light intensity: at 4.000 lux, e. g., the fresh weight is considerably higher (more than 20%) than the arithmetical mean of all the lots, while at 90 lux it appears greatly inferior (30%) to the lot kept at 2.000 lux.

No correlation exhists between fresh weight and chlorophyll content variations.

In Larix only the difference between seedlings kept at 250 lux and 90 lux is very strong. In the latter the chlorophyll content for g. f. w. is 40% inferior to the average of all the lots. At the maxime intensities the chlorophyll content of Larix seedlings appears to be particularly increased, while that of Picea seedlings is slightly inferior to that observed at 2.000 lux.

These figures are in agreement with the special ecology of the two plants and particularly with the light need of Larix, as it is clearly demonstrated by the fresh weight and chlorophyll content per g. f. w. and by the different ratio in chlorophyll contents of the lots of seedlings kept at 2.000 and 4.000 lux.     

Sulla stimolazione da Saccarosio della Crescita di Cotiledoni Isolati di Semi di Ricino germinanti

Abstract

The effect of sugars on growth of isolated cotyledons from germinating castor bean seeds. — The presence of sugars in the medium induces a number of biochemical and physiological changes in the cotyledons isolated from germinating castor bean seeds. In the present research, the extent and the mechanism of the effect of sugars on growth of the isolated cotyledons was investigated.

The results achieved may be summarized as follows:

• Sucrose markedly stimulates the growth (as increase of fresh weight) of the isolated cotyledons; its action is already apparent when using a 10^-2M concentration and reaches a maximum (stimulation by about 400%) for the concentration between 5.10^-2M and 1,5.10^-3M. The increase of sucrose induced growth is due in almost equal proportions to water uptake and to increase of dry weight.

• The difference (Δ P.O.) between the osmotic pressure (P.O.) of the cell sap and that of the external medium is markedly higher for the cotyledons treated with sucrose (7–8 atm.) than the Δ P.O. of cotyledons incubated in water.

• Analyses of cell contents in sugars show that sucrose is taken up by the cotyledon cells against a concentration gradient. The increase of the difference of osmotic pressure between cotyledon and the external medium is satisfactorily accounted for by this active accumulation of sugars.

• When mannitol is added to the incubating medium in addition to sucrose, the active uptake of sugar is not disturbed; but the effect of sucrose on growth decreases, and it completly disappears when mannitol concentration in the medium is such, to make the value of Δ P.O. for the cotyledons in sucrose plus mannitol equal to the Δ P.O. for the cotyledons incubated in water.

• Besides increasing the P.O. in the cotyledons, sucrose markedly accelerates the decrease of free aminoacid in the isolated cotyledons.

• Auxin (β—indolacetic acid) does not stimulate, or stimulates weakly, growth of the cotyledon incubated in water; some stimulation can be observed only when sucrose is present. Gibberellic acid stimulates growth (though to a much lower extent than sucrose) in the cotyledons in water, while its action does no longer appear when sugar is present.

The decrease of free aminoacid together with other observations, indicates an effect of sucrose on protein metabolism; however, growth stimulation by sucrose seems to depend essentially on its active accumulation - against a concentration gradient - and thuson the increase of osmotic pressure. It is thus suggested that in these tissues osmotic pressure is the most important factor in limiting growth by cell extension.     

Accumulation of photosynthetic pigments in Larix decidua Mill. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. cotyledons treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid under different irradiation

European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] synthesize chlorophyll (Chl) in darkness. This paper compares Chl accumulation in 14-d-old dark-grown seedlings of L. decidua and P. abies after shortterm (24 h) feeding with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). We used two ALA concentrations (1 and 10 mM) fed to cotyledons of both species in darkness and in continuous light. The dark-grown seedlings of L. decidua accumulated Chl only in trace amounts and the seedlings remained etiolated. In contrast, P. abies seedlings grown in darkness were green and had significantly higher Chl content. After ALA feeding, higher protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) content was observed in L. decidua than in P. abies cotyledons incubated in darkness. Although short-term ALA feeding stimulated the synthesis of Pchlide, Chl content did not change significantly in cotyledons incubated in darkness. The Chl accumulation in cotyledons fed with ALA was similar to the rate of Chl accumulation in the controls. Higher Chl accumulation was reported in control samples after illumination: 86.9% in L. decidua cotyledons and 46.4% in P. abies cotyledons. The Chl content decreased and bleaching occurred in cotyledons incubated with ALA in light due to photooxidation. Analyses of Chlbinding proteins (D1 and LHCIIb) by Western blotting proved differences between Chl biosynthesis in L. decidua and P. abies seedlings in the dark and in the light. No remarkable increase was found in protein accumulation (D1 and LHCIIb) after ALA application. Our results showed interspecific difference in Chl synthesis between two gymnosperms. Shortterm ALA feeding did not stimulate Chl synthesis, thus ALA synthesis was not the rate-limiting step in Chl synthesis in the dark.     

Fenomeni di Inattivazione e di Riattivazione Enzimatica in Endospermi di semi di Ricino

Abstract

Inactivation and riactivation of enzymes in endosperms of castor bean seeds. — On the basis of previous results, the possibility has been investigated of the reversible interconversion of active and inactive form of enzymes in castor bean seeds, during their development.

The results described here indicate that:

1. the activity of some glycolytic enzymes increases greatly (81% and 400% increase of, respectively, Gl-6-P-dehydrogenase and aldolase) upon incubation of dry seeds for few hours at 4 °C.

2. The decrease of enzyme activity upon dehydration of seeds and the increase during the subsequent imbibition can be shown reproducibly.

3. This same observation is made for oxygen uptake.

These results are interpreted to indicate the reversible inactivation of enzymes caused by dehydration of seeds.     

Althenia Filiformis Petit: Azione Della Temperatura e Dell'Acqua di Mare Sulla Germinazione

Abstract

Effects of temperature and sea water on germination behaviour of Althenia filiformis Petit seeds. - Germination capacity and energy of Althenia filiformis Petit seeds have been investigated, 90 and 180 days after ripening, to carry out a preliminary study on ecology of this species.

This species, halophite and hydrophyte, is spreaded along the coast shores of middle-west mediterranean sea and atlantic shores of Morocco, Spain, Portugal and France.

Seeds were soaked in the dark, at 10°, 20°, 30°C, in solutions at different salt concentration: sea water; sea water diluted in deionized water at ratios (v/v) 1: 2, 1: 4, 1: 8; sea water plus 26 gr/l NaCl; deionized water, as control.

The experimental results show that germination is reduced and delayed when seeds are soaked in progressively concentrated salt solutions; in sea water plus 26 gr/l NaCl seed germination is inhibited.

Seeds pretreated by soaking at 3°C for 10 days in sea water diluted (1:1) by deionized water did not show, when soaked in salt solution at weak and middle concentration, any delay in germination in comparison with unpretreated seeds. On the contrary, pretreated and unpretreated seeds sown in sea water at 30°C had shown, 180 days after ripening, a significant depression in germination values as compared with seeds sown at 20°C.     

Studio Comparato di Alcuni Effetti Fisiologici Prodotti Dai Neutroni Veloci su Triticum Durum Normale e Bianconato

Abstract

A comparative study of physiological effects induced by fast neutrons on normal and mealy-endosperm seeds of TRITICUM DURUM. — Normal and mealy-endosperm seeds of Triticum durum « Cappelli » were irradiated in the dry state with different doses (700, 1000, 1300 and 1600 rep) of fast neutrons for a study of their radio-sensitivity.

Analysis of growth in sand and field survival shown that the normal seeds are more sensitive than those with mealy-endosperm: this is shown by a greater growth reduction at 14 and 21 days after sowing and a lower survival, especially with the dose 700 rep.     

A novel insight into the regulation of light-independent chlorophyll biosynthesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix decidua</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> seedlings

Light-independent chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis is a prerequisite for the assembly of photosynthetic pigment–protein complexes in the dark. Dark-grown Larix decidua Mill. seedlings synthesize Chl only in the early developmental stages and their Chl level rapidly declines during the subsequent development. Our analysis of the key regulatory steps in Chl biosynthesis revealed that etiolation of initially green dark-grown larch cotyledons is connected with decreasing content of glutamyl-tRNA reductase and reduced 5-aminolevulinic acid synthesizing capacity. The level of the Chl precursor protochlorophyllide also declined in the developing larch cotyledons. Although the genes chlL, chlN and chlB encoding subunits of the light-independent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase were constitutively expressed in the larch seedlings, the accumulation of the ChlB subunit was developmentally regulated and ChlB content decreased in the fully developed cotyledons. The efficiency of chlB RNA-editing was also reduced in the mature dark-grown larch seedlings. In contrast to larch, dark-grown seedlings of Picea abies (L.) Karst. accumulate Chl throughout their whole development and show a different control of ChlB expression. Analysis of the plastid ultrastructure, photosynthetic proteins by Western blotting and photosynthetic parameters by gas exchange and Chl fluorescence measurements provide additional experimental proofs for differences between dark and light Chl biosynthesis in spruce and larch seedlings.     

Ricerche Sulla Flora e Vegetazione dei Fontanili Dell'Agro Milanese

Abstract

Nucleic Acids in Ripening of Castor Bean Endosperm. - I. Quantitative and Qualitative Changes of total RNA. — The ripe Castor Bean seed endosperm (Ricinus Communis var. Sanguinea) has a very low level of nucleic acids and particularly of ribosomal RNA. However, they rapidly increase during the germination of the seed (S. Cocucci et al., Acc. Naz. Lincei, 38, 545, 1965).

The behaviour of the nucleic acids, obtained by phenol extraction from Castor Bean seed endosperm at different ripening stages, is the following:

1. From the moment when the developing seed has reached the maximal fresh weight to the moment of its complete ripening, the RNA content decreases from about 700 μg per seed to about 200 μg.

2. During the same period the DNA level (about 13–15 μg per seed) remains nearly costant.

3. Fractionation by sucrose density gradient of the phenol extracted RNA (H. L. Sanger and C. A. Knight, Biochem. Biophys. Reserch Commun., 13, 445, 1963) shows that during the ripening of the seed the high molecular weight RNA decreases much more than the low molecular weight RNA.

4. Radioactive phosphate injected in the seeds is incorporated in the RNA at all the stages. Fractionation by sucrose density giadient shows that the phosphate is essentially incorporated in low molecular weight RNA and there is pratically no labelling of the heavier RNA after quite a long period (2 hr.).

These data suggest that the decrease of the RNA during the ripening of the seed can be due to a fall in the ability to synthesize high molecular RNA.     

Chlorophyll formation and the development of photosynthesis in dark grown seedlings of Picea abies

Abstract Seeds of Picea abies were germinated and grown in either darkness or constant light. The chlorophyll content and photosynthetic carbon dioxide uptake of developing seedlings of different ages was determined. Ten-day-old dark grown seedlings showed an instant ability for photosynthetic carbon dioxide uptake and also formed further chlorophyll most rapidly upon subsequent illumination. These activities progressively diminished when the dark growth period was extended. Light grown seedlings reached a maximum chlorophyll level after 15 days growth, and this preceded maximal photosynthetic development.     

Effetto della Presenza di Zuccheri Sull'attivita Esochinasica in Cotiledoni Germinanti di Ricino

Abstract

The effects of sugars on the development of hexokinase and fructokinase activities in isolated cotyledons from germinating castor bean seeds. — The possibility of an inductive effect of hexose concentration on the rate of synthesis of enzymes involved in the phosphorylation of sugars has been investigated. Cotyledons were removed from castor bean seeds germinated 48 h at 27 °C in the dark, and incubated 12 h in water or in 0,05–0,1 M glucose or fructose. The activities of hexokinase and of fructokinase (determined spectrophotometrically in the soluble fraction from cell free extracts) was found to increase, upon incubation, at a rate more than 100% higher for the cotyledons incubated in the presence of sugars than for those in water. The results suggest some specificity of the effect of fructose on fructokinase and of glucose on hexokinase. « Insoluble » hexokinase was not affected by the sugars. Protein synthesis inhibitors such as actinomycin D and puromycin inhibited any increase of kinase activities in the isolated cotyledons.     

Ricerche Sulla Cultura Sommersa di Cellule Singole di Piante Superiori

Abstract

Research on submerged culture of single cells of higher plants. — The author describes a method which allows to obtain submerged cultures of single cells of Phaseolus vulgaris and Nicotiana tabacum. The medium composition in macroelements in the culture on agar appears to effect to a great extent the ability of tissues to dissociate into single cells in the subsequent liquid culture. In this respect Heller's solution results to be more suitable than Gautheret's and Hildebrandt and Ri-ker's.

Cells are grown at 24 [ddot]C in 300 ml flasks containing 60 ml of broth on a rotary shaker at 220 rpm.

To prevent contaminations some antibacterial agents were added to cultures of Phaseolus vulgaris. Among these Penicillin and Neomycin were not tossic at 20 and 5 ppm concentrations respectively.

The presence of septa, which are observed also in largely vacuolate cells, seems to confirm the ability of single cells to divide.

The optimum 2,4-D concentration for growth decreases from 6 × 10^-8 to 6 × 10^-8 during successive liquid cultures, each of them being inoculated with on amount of the previous one. This fact, showing the adaptation of liquid cultures to decreasing concentrations of the growth hormone, is in agreement with previous observations in solid cultures by several authors.     

Frammenti cotiledonari di Aesculus hippocastanum L. coltivati in vitro. Primi dati sul comportamento dell'amido e dell'escina

Abstract

Fragments of Aesculus hippocastanum L. cotyledons grown in vitro. First results about starch and aescin characteristic features.—Cotyledon fragments of Aesculus hippocastanum grown in vitro in different media have been able to form callus and roots. The starch granules in the new cells are compound in structure and morphologically different from the simple cotyledon granules, whereas they are similar to the granules of the other parts of the plant in toto. Moreover, the callus has no aescin even though it originates from the cotyledor tissues.     

Chlorophyll accumulation and breakdown in light-grown barley transferred to darkness: effect of seedling age

Diurnally grown barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Clipper) seedlings of various ages (3–4, 5–6 and 10–11-days-old) were transferred to darkness for 17 h and changes in leaf fresh weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and protochlorophyllide measured. The results were consistent with previous evidence of a light-independent chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway in light-grown barley. There was a net gain in chlorophyll (μg leaf^-1) in 5–6- and 10–11-day-old plants after 17 h dark treatment. The amounts of chlorophyll that accumulated were similar (5.9 and 4.3 μg Chl leaf^-1), despite a twofold difference in leaf size at T₀. The rate of leaf expansion in 5–6-day-old plants greatly exceeded the rate of chlorophyll accumulation and leaves were noticeably paler after dark treatment i.e. there was a reduction in chlorophyll concentration (μg g fresh weight^-1) in spite of an increase in chlorophyll content (μg leaf^-1). The ability of light-grown barley to accumulate chlorophyll in darkness was a function of seedling age. Very young seedlings (3–4-day-old) generally lost chlorophyll in darkness. The decrease in chlorophyll per leaf resulted mainly from loss of chlorophyll b. Preferential loss of chlorophyll b resulted in dramatic increases in the chlorophyll a:b ratio. Since 3–4-day-old seedlings (1) accumulated 5-aminolevulinic acid in the presence of levulinic acid at a rate comparable to older seedlings, and (2) converted exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid to chlorophyll in the absence of light, it is unlikely that failure of the youngest plants to accumulate chlorophyll in darkness was due to blocks at these steps in the pathway. Net loss of chlorophyll (μg leaf^-1) in 3–4-day-old seedlings in darkness was eliminated by the addition of chloramphenicol, which occasionally produced a small, but significant, gain in total chlorophyll. These results imply that chlorophyll degradation in young barley leaves is strongly influenced by the chloroplast genome, and is a major factor influencing changes in chlorophyll levels in darkness. The present findings are consistent with the suggestion that the failure of 3–4-day-old barley seedlings to accumulate chlorophyll in darkness may be due to chlorophyll turnover in which the rate of degradation exceeds the rate of synthesis.     

Azione della luce sulla crescita allo stadio di plantula di un mutante clorofilliano di Triticum durum Desf

Abstract

ACTION OF LIGHT ON SEEDLING GROWTH IN A YELLOW-GREEN MUTANT OF TRITICUM DURUM DESF. — Dry grains of Triticum durum cv. « Cappelli » and its radiation-induced yellow-green mutant were sown in sand in four environment, different for light conditions (daylight, artificial light, ultraviolet rays, darkness), having all the same temperature (23°C.). Seven days after sowing, the following data were registered: a) growth (in cm.) of the shoot and of the longest root; b) fresh weight (in gr.) of shoots and roots; c) water content of shoots and roots.

The following main results were obtained:

1. the yellow-green mutant always shows less growth and less weight increase than normal « Cappelli », with the exception of the seedlings grown at daylight, which have shorter shoots and longer roots than the normal « Cappelli » but the same weight:

2. artificial light, besides depressing the growth of the roots of the yellow-green mutant, which becomes green under these conditions, induces a remarkable decrease in the water content of the roots of the two wheats.

     

Fissazione di CO2 da Parte di Entomocecidi di Cuscuta Australis

Abstract

Fixation of carbon dioxide by galls of CUSCUTA AUSTRALIS. — The mechanism of the carbon dioxide fixation by Cuscuta is a controversial biochemical topic. Light induced reactions are involved in MacLeod's opinion while others as Ciferri and Poma believe that mainly a dark-fixation occurs.

In this study use is made of the galls, caused by the insect Smicronyx on Cuscuta australis, that appear more green coloured than the normal tissues.

Equal weights of excised galls were kept both in light and in darkness in contact with C¹⁴O₂for different incubation times, and the magnitude of the fixation was compared under these two conditions by measuring radioactivity of both soluble and acid hydrolysed fractions.

After short exposures to the tracer the fixation in light greatly exceeds that in dark (25–19/1) while with more prolonged exposures the ratio sharply decreases (to about 5/1): these figures can be interpreted with the assumption that a strong light-induced fixation superimposes itself to a low but definite dark-fixation activity.

The ratio does not change if radioactivity is measured in the hydrolysed fractions.

These results are of course referred to as being largerly preliminar and requiring further and more extensive studies.     

Indagini Sull'Ecologia dei Semenzali di Picea

Abstract

Research on the ecological requirements of «Picea abies» seedlings. — In order to understand better the germination and first year growth of Norway spruce, we laid down during 1966 an experimental seeding in the nursery of Paneveggio (Trento) using 5 different soils, 3 levels of light and 2 levels of moisture.

Germination has been faster on mineral than on organic soils, and has also been enhanced by irrigation (especially on organic soils) and by shading. The number of seedlings at the end of the first growing season was higher in irrigated plots; irrigation having a stronger influence in combination with reduced shade or organic soils. Dry weight of plants increased with increasing light and moisture. More solar radiation also results in increased soil evaporation which, above a certain level, can have a negative effect on seedlings weight; this is especially evident on organic soils. The ratio stem weight/root weight, inversely proportional to the available light, was highest on organic soils and lowest on mineral soils. Seedling height was enhanced both by irrigation and shading: the increased height with the reduction of light (this causing also weight reduction) must be interpreted as another sign of light deficiency.

Taking into account the situation in a forest environment, it is possible to recognise that organic soils are the least favourable to the spruce seedlings, while mineral soils are those most favourable, since the seedlings which will grow upon the latter are better adapted to draught and uprooting caused by alternances of frost and defrost.

The different behaviour of spruce seedlings on the soils tested can be explained mainly by differences of available water in the various soils.     

Modificazioni Anatomiche ed Istologiche in Apici Radicali di Plantule di Pinus Pinea L. Germinate in Vitro al Buio da Semi Immaturi

Abstract

Histological and anatomical modifications in the root apex of PINUS PINEA L. seedlings grown in vitro from immature seeds, in the dark. — The seeds of Pinus pinea L. take three years to develop reaching maturity during the spring of the forth year. Immature seeds were collected at successive stages and cultivated in vitro in Heller's medium. The seedlings showed atrophy of the root togheter with histological and anatomical modifications of the root apex and formation of a small tuber. The extent of these modifications depends on the age of the seed and on how long the seedling is cultivated in vitro.

Seedlings derived from seeds planted on August 31st and kept in vitro for about a month had an atrophic root through lack of meristematic capacity; in it the secretory and conducting apparatuses had developed but with mixed radical and hypocotilar characters.

Seedlings from unripe seeds planted on September 30th and kept in culture for about one month showed an atrophic root owing to a rapid process of differentiation accompanied by the formation of isolated tracheid-like elements and of discontinuos vascular strands very near to the apex. Lateral proliferations gave rise to masses of various size of unorganised parenchyma which could separate the cortical and cap parenchyma from the central cylinder. In some cases the root cortex, clearly recognisable owing to an advanced process of differentiation, cut off from the central cylinder the root cap cells which degenerated.

Seedlings obtained from seeds planted on October 11th and kept in culture for about one month showed a radical tubercle deriving from fasciation of the main axis which had ceased growing and had formed various abnormal lateral root primordia.