The nature of spontaneous changes in growth rate in isolated coleoptile segments

About 4 hours after they are cut from the seedling, corn (Zea mays L.) coleoptile segments mounted vertically show a strong increase in growth rate. This increase occurs in water or various buffers near pH 7 and is not accompanied by the accumulation of a growth promoter in the medium. The increase in growth rate is prevented by 1 mmp-fluorophenylalanine and is strongly inhibited by 0.1 mmp-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid.The increased growth rate is accompanied by a 95% increase in the ability of tissue extracts to catalyze the conversion of (14)C-tryptophan to (14)C-indole-3-acetic acid and by a nearly 3-fold increase in indole-3-acetic acid oxidase activity. The increase in growth rate is also observed in segments from coleoptiles grown aseptically.The spontaneous increase in growth rate is completely but reversibly inhibited by 1 mum indole-3-acetic acid. Cytokinins have little effect on the spontaneous growth response, whereas gibberellic acid is observed to extend the latent period and reduce the magnitude of the response. It is tentatively concluded that the increase in endogenous growth rate may result from increased auxin production upon derepression of the auxin biosynthesis pathway after isolating the tissue from the normal supply of auxin from the tip.     

Gravitropism and Phototropism of Maize Coleoptiles: Evaluation of the Cholodny-Went Theory Through Effects of Auxin Application and Decapitation

It was investigated whether or not gravitropism and phototropismof maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles behave as predicted by theCholodny-Went theory in response to auxin application, decapitationand combinations of these treatments. Gravitropism was inducedat an angle of 30° from the vertical, and phototropism,by a pulse of unilateral blue light. Either tropism of the coleoptilewas inhibited by IAA, applied as a ring of IAA-lanolin pasteto its sub-apical part, and by decapitation. The dose-responsecurves for the effects of applied IAA on tropisms and growthof intact coleoptiles as well as the time courses of tropismsinduced in decapitated coleoptiles could be explained by thethree conclusions in the literature: (1) the tip of the coleoptileis the site of auxin production, (2) lateral translocation ofauxin in gravitropism occurs along the length of the coleoptile,and (3) lateral translocation of auxin in phototropism occursin the coleoptile tip. By examining the effects of decapitationmade at different distances from the top and of IAA appliedto the cut surface of decapitated coleoptiles, it was indicatedthat auxin is produced in the apical 1 mm zone of an intactcoleoptile and that lateral auxin translocation for phototropismtakes place in an apical part that somewhat exceeds the zoneof auxin production. (Received October 14, 1994; Accepted December 26, 1994)     

The spontaneous growth response of maize coleoptile segments and the change in tissue 8

Decapitated segments from maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles orientedvertically in an upright position show a strong spontaneousgrowth response (SGR) 3 h after decapitation. The latent periodof the SGR is markedly reduced when these segments are orientedin an inverted position. Coleoptile segments with intact tipsexhibit a weak and transient SGR in the vertical upright orientation.However, in the inverted orientation, these segments show atypical SGR. The data are inconsistent with the current hypothesisthat the SGR is caused by a time-dependent increase in tissuesensitivity to auxin. The parallel increase in membrane potentialdifference and growth rate during the time-course of the SGRindicates a possible role for PM H⁺-ATPase in the establishmentof the SGR in maize coleoptile segments. Key words: Auxin, spontaneous growth response, membrane potential, plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase, Zea mays L.     

Time course of phytochrome-mediated changes in growth gradients on coleoptiles of Triticum aestivum L.

The length of parenchyma cells along the axis of dark-grown coleoptiles of Triticum aestivum L. and the pattern of competence for red-light-(R-) induced stimulation or inhibition of cell elongation in the course of coleoptile development were determined by microscopic measurements in a file of 240 cells from the tip to the base. On the basis of these measurements distinct zones (responding in different ways to R) were selected for studying the early time course of phytochrome-mediated growth-rate changes in intact coleoptiles by use of a sensitive transducer system. Between 2 d and 4 d after sowing dark-grown coleoptiles showed a graded incline in cell growth activity from the apex to the base (growth gradient). Whereas cell elongation in the coleoptile base ceased 4 d after sowing, cell elongation speeded up in the tip and middle region at that time. Those cells that grew slowly in darkness (tip and middle region between 2d and 3 d after sowing) were stimulated in growth by R-pulse irradiation (1 min R, 660 nm, 1000 J · m^–2). In contrast, the growth of fast-growing cells (base between 2 d and 4 d after sowing, tip and middle region between 4 d and 5 d after sowing) was inhibited by R. However, the starting time for R-induced growth changes was different for different coleoptile zones. The respective data point to the storage of a phytochrome-mediated signal in the cells of the middle region, until these cells become competent to respond to it; alternatively, Pfr, the far-red-light-absorbing form of phytochrome, may be stored in a stable form. Continuous recordings on the effect of R, far-red (FR) and R/FR on the zonal growth responses were made on intact coleoptiles, selected 3 d after sowing. During a 5-h investigation period the R-induced changes in growth rate could be divided into two phases: (i) A transient growth inhibition which started approx. 15 min after R. This response was qualitatively the same in all coleoptile zones investigated (tip, middle region, base). (ii) Zonal-specific growth responses which became measurable approx. 2.5 h after R, i.e. growth promotion in the tip, growth inhibition in the base and an adaptation of growth rate to the dark control level in the middle region. The R-induced growth rate changes were reversible by FR for both phases. Additional growth experiments on excised coleoptile segments under R and auxin application indicated that the zonal-specific growth promotion or inhibition may be not mediated by an influence of R on the auxin level.Abbreviations FR far-red light - Pfr far-red-light-absorbing form of phytochrome - R red light The technical assistance of Mrs. B. Liebe is gratefully acknowledged.     

The Geoelectric Effect in Plant Shoots: III. DEPENDENCE UPON AUXIN CONCENTRATION GRADIENTS AND AEROBIC METABOLISM

The development of the geoelectric effect has been followedin Zea coleoptiles with a flowing-solution electrode system,and its dependence upon auxin concentration gradients and aerobicmetabolism assessed. A symmetrical source of IAA can effectively replace the coleoptiletip in allowing the geo-electric potential to occur. The diffusatefrom coleoptile tips, when applied asymmetrically to the apexof a vertical decapitated coleoptile, generates a potentialdifference across the coleoptile indistinguishable from thatinduced by the asymmetrical application of IAA. Asymmetricalapplication of IAA to vertical Avena and Zea coleoptiles andHelianthus hypocotyls induces closely similar responses. Neither the geoelectric effect nor a geotropic response developswhen intact Zea coleoptiles are placed horizontally after beingdeprived of oxygen, but they both occur when an aerobic atmosphereis restored. The lateral potential difference induced by theasymmetrical application of IAA to the apex of a vertical coleoptiledoes not occur under anoxic conditions. With a static-drop electrode system and a decapitated Zea coleoptile,a potential difference develops immediately after reorientationof the coleoptile into the horizontal position, and attainsa maximum value after about 10 min. This potential differencecan be further increased by the asymmetrical application ofIAA to the lower half of the apical cut surface of the coleoptile. Our data support the view that both the geoelectric potentialand the geotropic response are due to the IAA concentrationgradient which arises from the lateral transport of this substancefrom the upper to the lower half of the horizontal shoot. Theyalso bear out our previous conclusions that the ‘geoelectricpotential’ observed with static-drop electrodes and anintact shoot, is the resultant of two processes. The first isa physical phenomenon arising in the electrodes, or betweenthe electrodes and the plant tissue, and the second arises inthe living tissues of the shoot as the result of gravity-inducedchanges in auxin distribution.     

Effect of Peeling on IAA-induced Growth in Avena Coleoptiles

The act of peeling removes the epidermis exclusively from Avenacoleoptiles. Peeling inhibits IAA-induced growth, by inhibitingthe growth of segments incubated in the presence of IAA, andpromoting that of those incubated in water. The magnitude ofthe inhibition of IAA-induced growth is proportional to theamount of epidermis removed. It is shown that neither lateralswelling, wounding, anaerobiosis, nor exposure to supraoptimalconcentrations of IAA cause the inhibition. It is concludedthat in Avena coleoptiles the epidermis regulates the rate ofexpansion of the underlying parenchyma cells and is the principaltarget of IAA-action. Avena sativa L., oat, coleoptile, indol-3-ylacetic acid, auxin, extension growth     

Restoration of phototropic responsiveness in decapitated maize coleoptiles

The literature indicates that the tip of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles has the localized functions of producing auxin for growth and perceiving unilateral light stimuli and translocating auxin laterally for phototropism. There is evidence that the auxinproducing function of the tip is restored in decapitated coleoptiles. We examined whether the functions for phototropism are also restored by using blue-light conditions that induced a first pulse-induced positive phototropism (fPIPP) and a time-dependent phototropism (TDP). When the apical 5 mm, in which photosensing predominantly takes place, was removed, no detectable fPIPP occurred even if indole-3-acetic acid (lanolin mixture) was applied to the cut end. However, when the blue-light stimulation was delayed after decapitation, fPIPP became inducible in the coleoptile stumps supplied with indole-3-acetic-acid/lanolin (0.01 mg g-1), indicating that phototropic responsiveness was restored. This restoration progressed 1 to 2 h after decapitation, and the curvature response became comparable to that of intact coleoptiles. The results for TDP were qualitatively similar, but some quantitative differences were observed. It appeared that the overall TDP was based on a major photosensing mechanism specific to the tip and on at least one additional mechanism not specific to the tip, and that the tip-specific TDP was restored in decapitated coleoptiles with kinetics similar to that for fPIPP. It is suggested that the photoreceptor system, which accounts for fPIPP and a substantial part of TDP, is regenerated in decapitated coleoptiles, perhaps together with the mechanism for lateral auxin translocation.     

Growth distribution during first positive phototropic curvature of maize coleoptiles*

Abastract Measurements of growth increments on the shaded and the irradiated sides of phototropically stimulated maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles, obtained over the entire fluence range of the first positive curvature, indicate that the curvature is induced by growth stimulation on the shaded side and compensating inhibition on the irradiated side (length increments on the coleoptile flanks were determined 100 min after 30 s phototropic induction with blue light). At high fluences of blue light, overall stimulation of growth takes place, but this tendency is largely eliminated when only the tip of the coleoptile is irradiated. Time courses for growth increments obtained for the maximum first positive response show that the growth stimulation on the shaded side and the growth inhibition on the irradiated side commence almost simultaneously 20-30 min after the phototropic induction. The growth on the irradiated side almost ceases, but the growth rate on the shaded side is doubled, relative to the control rate. The onset of differential growth migrates basipetally from the tip at a velocity similar to that for polar auxin transport. The first positive phototropic response of the coleoptile is concluded to be the consequence of lateral redistribution of growth, which is not necessarily accompanied by changes in the net growth. The results are consonant with the Cholodny-Went theory of tropisms, in which lateral redistribution of auxin is considered to be the cause of tropic responses.     

Does ethylene induce elongation of the rice coleoptile through auxin?

Ethylene stimulated the elongation of intact rice (Oryza sativaL.) coleoptiles in which endogenous growth had been stoppedcompletely by decapitation and red light. p-Chlorophenoxyisobutyricacid slightly inhibited endogenous growth, but not the ethyleneinduced growth. Thus, ethylene could stimulate the elongationof coleoptiles in which the auxin level was considered to bevery low. ¹ Present address: Institute for Agricultural Research, TohokuUniversity, Katahira, Sendai 980, Japan. (Received February 16, 1979; )     

The place of brassinolide in the sequential response to plant growth regulators in elongating tissue

In the sequential response to plant growth regulators in young elongating tissue from peas and wheat the peak of sensitivity to 24-epi-brussinolide (1 μM) occurs after those of gibberellin and cytokinin and begins before that of auxin in isolated wheat ( Triticum vulgare L. ev. Egret) coleoptiles aged from 21-96 h. In dwarf pea ( Pisum sativum L. cv. Greenfeast) segments, the peak of sensitivity also lies between those of gibberellin and auxin, and it also occurs before sensitivity to auxin in sections from first leaves of wheat. All the leaf sections and all but the most mature coleoptiles and pea segments were sensitive to fusicocein (1 μM).     

The Effects of Externally Applied 3-indolylacetic Acid on Phototropic Induction and Response in the Coleoptile of Avena

The effects of intermittent immersion of Avena seedlings insolutions of IAA on the response of the coleoptiles to unilateralillumination in the region of that producing the second positivecurvature were studied by means of automatic time-lapse photographywhich enabled the growth-rate and curvature to be recorded simultaneously. Phototropic induction occurred even after the coleoptiles hadabsorbed sufficient IAA from a 10^-4 M. solution to raise theirrate of elongation to about twice the normal value. Phototropiccurvature, which had been temporarily inhibited by a curvaturein the opposite direction induced by the IAA, became evidentas soon as this curvature had ceased to operate. In coleoptiles, supplied with IAA after the commencement ofa phototropic curvature, the response was temporarily suppressed.It was resumed as soon as the effects of the exogenous IAA haddisappeared. The ability of the coleoptiles to produce a slight phototropicresponse persisted even when their growth-rate had been greatlyreduced by previous removal of the endosperm. Increasing thegrowth-rate by supplying the starved seedlings with IAA or sucrose,separately or together, failed to increase the response. Decapitation did not prevent phototropic induction, but delayedthe onset of the response. Application of IAA by intermittentimmersion in a 0.1 mg./l. solution, after the decapitated coleoptileshad been exposed to unilateral illumination, increased the rateof growth but reduced the response. The results suggest that in these experiments phototropic inductionwas not mediated by any direct action of light on the displacement,inactivation, or rate of synthesis of an endogenous auxin. Theyare in agreement with the hypothesis that the stimulus causedan asymmetrical distribution of a co-factor of auxin.     

PHYTOCHROME ACTION IN ORYZA SATIVA L. III. THE SEPARATION OF PHOTOPERCEPTIVE SITE AND GROWING ZONE IN COLEOPTILES, AND AUXIN TRANSPORT AS EFFECTOR SYSTEM

• 1 In 4-day-old etiolated rice seedlings, 3 mm of the coleoptile tip did mainly perceive the photostimulus to cause the phytochrome-dependent inhibition of coleoptile elongation. At this age, cell elongation occurred most in the middle portion of coleoptiles in the dark, and was reversibly controlled by a brief exposure of the tip to red and far-red light. Thus, the photoperceptive site was evidently separated from the growing zone in intact rice coleoptiles.
• 2 The red-light-induced inhibition of coleoptile elongation was nullified by the removal of tip followed by the exogenous application of IAA. The sensitivity of thus treated coleoptiles to IAA was gradually lost during intervening darkness between the irradiation and the decapitation, and a 50% loss was obtained at ca. 6th hour at 26°C.
• 3 Polar auxin transport from coleoptile tips was remarkably prevented at the period between, at least, 2nd and 4th hour after red irradiation, and it recovered to the level of dark control by the 6th hour. Far-red light given immediately after red irradiation reversed the yield of diffusible auxin up to that of far-red control.

     

Can Lateral Redistribution of Auxin Account for Phototropism of Maize Coleoptiles?

Elongation growth of intact, red-light grown maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles was studied by applying a small spot of an indole acetic acid (IAA)-lanolin mixture to the coleoptile tip. We report that: (a) endogenous auxin is limiting for growth, (b) an approximately linear relation holds between auxin concentration and growth rate over a range which spans those rates occurring in phototropism, and (c) an auxin gradient established at the coleoptile tip is well sustained during its basipetal transport. We argue that the growth differential underlying coleoptile phototropism (first-positive curvature) can be explained by redistribution of auxin at the coleoptile tip.     

Time-dependent Changes in the Auxin Sensitivity of Coleoptile Segments: Apparent Sensory Adaptation

When segments are excised from corn (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles they exhibit a very low rate of elongation for about 3.5 hours. A strong increase in growth rate (the spontaneous growth response) then occurs and persists for many hours. During the latent period preceding the spontaneous growth response there is an apparent increase with time in the sensitivity of the segments to indoleacetic acid (IAA). This increase in sensitivity is expressed as a 2- to 3-fold increase in the magnitude of the growth response to low levels of IAA and a 3-fold decrease in the latent period of the response during the first 3 hours following excision. A similar increase in sensitivity to low levels of IAA is noted if application of IAA is timed from the point of termination of a previous exposure to the hormone. Since the increase in responsiveness to low levels of IAA is not paralleled by an increase in the rate of uptake of the hormone, the data may be interpreted as evidence for a type of time-dependent sensory adaptation to auxin. The IAA dose-response relationship also changes with time, and there is indirect evidence that an auxin-dependent inhibitor may influence the expression of the apparent sensory adaptation to auxin.     

Phytochrome action in Oryza sativa L.

Summary The mechanical properties of the cell wall were measured in coleoptiles of totally etiolated rice seedlings. Coleoptiles were either decapitated or briefly exposed to red (R) and/or far-red (FR) light. The elastic and plastic extensibilities of the cell wall changed with age (length) of the coleoptiles. Decapitation and exposure to R induced changes in these properties, and the time-courses were similar. Following decapitation or R irradiation, the plastic extensibility of the cell wall decreased more conspicuously than elastic extensibility. Exogenous application of auxin immediately following decapitation alleviated the effect of removal of the tip. FR irradiation reduced both kinds of extensibilities, but its effect was much less than that of R, and it reversed the R-induced effect to the level of tissue treated with FR only. In repeated R-FR treatments, the decrease of elastic extensibility by R and its reversal by FR could be repeated, but the effect of a second irradiation with R after FR on plastic extensibility was not as apparent as that of the first. Reduction of cell-wall extensibility of etiolated rice coleoptiles caused by R light appeared, at least partly, to be due to a reduced auxin supply in the elongating region from the tip, similar to that caused by decapitation.     

pH-Dependence of Extension Growth in Avena Coleoptiles and Its Implications for the Mechanism of Auxin Action

The pH-dependence of acid-induced growth in excised segments of Avena sativa coleoptiles has been reinvestigated in the pH range 3 to 7. In contrast to previous reports (e.g. DL Rayle [1973] Planta 114: 63-73), only acidic buffers with a pH below 5.0 induce an extension response. A pH of 3.5 to 4.0 is required to mimic auxin-mediated growth. Very similar pH-response curves are obtained with both intact (abraded) and peeled coleoptiles. These results agree with the recent finding of a similarly low sensitivity to protons in maize coleoptiles. It is shown that the apparently much higher sensitivity to protons previously reported for peeled Avena coleoptiles is due to incubating the tissue in buffer of pH 6.8 between peeling and measuring the effect of acidic buffers. Neutral pH reversibly inhibits the spontaneous extension burst originating on release from tissue tension after removing the epidermis. Reversal of this inhibition can be achieved by buffers of pH 5.0 to 6.0 (or distilled water), thereby simulating an acid-induced growth response in this pH range. It is concluded that true acid-induced wall-loosening generally does not take place above pH 5.0 and that a pH considerably below 4.0 is required in order to stimulate growth to an extent comparable to that obtained in response to auxin. The “acid-growth theory,” which requires an acid-mediated loosening of the cell wall in the pH range 5 to 6, this pH being established by auxin-induced proton excretion, can therefore also not be substantiated in Avena.     

Rapid growth responses of dark-grown wheat seedlings to red-light irradiation. II. Kinetic studies on the growth of different coleoptile zones

Continuous recordings of the effect of red light on the over-all and zonal growth responses were made on intact, dark-grown wheat ( Triticum aestivum L., cv. Hatri) seedlings selected 70 or 90 h after sowing. The over-all growth response of intact coleoptiles induced by bilateral continuous red light (660 nm, 17 W m⁻²) was complex and resulted from the overlapping of different zonal growth responses. During a 5 h investigation period, these responses can be divided into two phases. The first phase (short-term response) was a transient growth inhibition. After a lag period of ca 15 min, the rate of extension decelerated to a minimum value at ca 60 min, after which an acceleration was seen. This response was qualitatively the same in all coleoptile zones investigated (tip, subapical zone, base) and independent of coleoptile age. The second phase (delayed response) became measurable between 1.8 and 3 h after onset of red light irradiation and exhibited zonal-specific growth promotion or inhibition, dependent on the coleoptile age. A persistent growth promotion was observed only in the tip region of coleoptiles selected 70 h after sowing and became detectable about 3 h after the onset of red light.     

The Effects of Red, Far-red, and Blue Light on the Geotropic Response of Coleoptiles of Zea mays

The effects of red, far-red, and blue light on the geotropicresponse of excised coleoptiles of Zea mays have been investigated.Seedlings were grown in darkness for 5 or 6 days, exposed tovarious light treatments, and then returned to darkness fordetermination of the geotropic response. The rate of response of the coleoptiles is decreased after theyhave been exposed to red light (620–700 mµ, 560ergs cm^–2sec^–1 for the 24 hrs, but not for the 4hrs, preceding stimulation by gravity. Furthermore, their rateof response is greatly reduced if they are exposed to red lightfor 10 min and then returned to darkness for 20 hrs before geotropicstimulation. At 25° C an interval of 6 to 8 hrs elapses between a 10-minexposure to red light and the first detectable decrease in thegeotropic response of the coleoptile. This interval can be lengthenedby exposing the seedlings to low temperatures (0° to 2°C) after the light treatment but cannot be greatly shortenedby increasing the duration of exposure to red light. Using a standard procedure of exposing 5-day-old etiolated seedlingsto light for various times, replacing them in darkness for 20hrs and then determining the response of the coleoptiles to4 hrs geotropic stimulation, it has been found that: (a) Exposureto red light for 15 sec significantly decreases the geotropiccurvature of the coleoptiles and that further reduction occurson increasing the length of the light treatment to 2 and 5 min.(b) Far-red light has no effect on the geotropic response ofthe coleoptiles but it can completely reverse the effect ofred light. After repeated alternate exposure to red and far-redlight the geotropic response of the coleoptile is determinedby the nature of the last exposure, (c) Complete reversal ofthe effect of red light by far-red radiation only occurs whenexposure to far-red follows immediately after exposure to red.The reversing effect of far-red radiation is reduced if a periodof darkness intervenes between the red and far-red light treatments,and is lost after a dark interval of approximately 2 hrs. The effect of red light on the rate of geotropic response ofthe coleoptiles is independent of their age and length at thetime of excision. Blue light acts in a similar way to red light, but the seedlingsare less sensitive to blue than to red light. Coleoptiles grown throughout in a mixture of continuous, weak,red, and far-red light have a lower rate of geotropic responsethan etiolated coleoptiles.     

The Effects of Indole-3-Acetic Acid and 2:4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid on the Growth Rate and Endogenous Rhythm of Intact AvenaColeoptiles

The rates of elongation of the coleoptiles of Avena seedlings,subjected to intermittent immersion in solutions of IAA or 2:4-Dfor various total periods, were determined from measurementsof photographs taken every hour by infra-red radiation. Immersion in 17·5 mg./l. IAA for 1–5 hours causeda large increase in the growth rate followed by a depression.When the seedlings were immersed in 8·75 mg./l. IAA forperiods of 12 or 24 hours the depression was partially overcomeso long as the treatment was continued. Absorption of additionalIAA by the coleoptiles reduced their geotropic sensitivity. Penetration of 2:4-D (sodium salt) into the coleoptiles wasslower than that of IAA and the resulting stimulation of thegrowth rate was less, particularly in unbuffered solutions.After the treatment the growth rate declined slowly to aboutthe normal value. Results with coleoptiles were very similar to those previouslyobtained with rhizomes of Aegopodium and suggest that inhibitionof growth following stimulation by IAA may be of general occurrence.Possible causes of the inhibition are discussed and a comparisonis made between the results with intact coleoptiles and observationsmade by others on coleoptile sections. Temporary immersion of the seedlings in auxin solutions depressedthe rate of elongation of the primary leaf while it increasedthat of the coleoptile. It caused little disturbance of theendogenous rhythm induced by change from light to darkness.The suggestion that such rhythms can be explained in terms ofvariation in concentration of IAA-oxidase is not supported.     

Initial phases of gravity-induced lateral auxin transport and geotropic curvature in corn coleoptiles

Summary Wild-type corn coleoptiles showed an initial downward bending upon transfer from the vertical to the horizontal position. Strong upward curvature started only 15–30 min after the begin of horizontal exposure.Little, if any at all, initial downward geotropic bending was found with amylomaize coleoptiles at 1 X g. With stronger stimuli (10 or 20 X g) the amylomaize mutant reacted initially strongly in the wrong direction, i.e. opposite to the later response.When wild-type coleoptiles had been symmetrically prestimulated for 60 min with alternating 2-min horizontal exposures from opposite sides, no initial downward bending occurred if the plane of horizontal exposure was maintained from pretreatment to the continuous horizontal stimulation of the test. If, however, the coleoptiles were rotated 90° around their long axis between pretreatment and test, the initial downward bending reaction developed as in the non-prestimulated controls. Thus changes in reactivity remained localized to the site of stimulation.Following the same pretreatments used for the curvature measurements, lateral ³H-IAA transport was measured in coleoptile segments for 10 or 12.5 min. The auxin distribution found was strikingly parallel to the bending for all pretreatments.The dependence of reaction pattern on the duration of prestimulation in the same plane was tested. The function indicates a half life of 10–20 min for the change in sensitivity. The findings are discussed in view of a model of overstimulation and adaptation.