Role of auxin in growth and differentiation Processes of isolated shoot tips of maizeZea mays L.

The following work deals with the role of auxin in growth and differentiation processes of isolated shoot tips ofZea mays L. It seems that an optimal auxin concentration is apparently a function of a photoperiod duration. In case of a short day the optimal concentration is approximately 5 mg/l and in case of a long day it represents 1 mg/l. The duration of photoperiod influences even the level of exogenous auxins in explants. The plants exposed to the short photoperiod contain more substances of stimulative character while the ones exposed to the long day possess inhibitive substances. Externally applied auxin takes part in differentiation processes, especially in the formation of female elements in tassel spikelets and in transformation of the tassel primordium in pistillate ear.