The Development of Lateral Root Primordia in Vicia faba L. and Their Response to Colchicine

Lateral root primordia in i are first initiated 2–3 daysfollowing the onset of germination, after which they take 5.17–6.35days to complete their development and emerge as lateral roots.Variation in the amount of time elapsing between primordiuminitiation and emergence as a lateral is probably a reflectionof the cell number attained by any one primordium at the timeof emergence. The number of primordia produced per cm of primaryroot growth (5.35–6.65) was not affected by variationin the rate of root elongation, although the number of primordiaproduced each day increased with increase in the rate of rootgrowth. In colchicine-treated roots, the amount of time between primordiuminitiation in the C-tumour and the subsequent emergence of alateral (5.43–6.43 days) was similar to the value obtainedin control roots. Primordia which were present at the time ofcolchicine treatment responded to treatment in a number of differentways, depending on the stage of development reached. Primordiain the first 2.66 days of their development die following treatment;those between 2.66 and 3.69 days old have their developmentinhibited but stay alive; primordia which have been developingfor 3.69–4.91 days following initiation grow out as straightlaterals, while those between 4.91 and 5.77 days old form C-tumoursand emerge as inhibited laterals.