Root Formation in Pea Stem Sections and its Inhibition by Kinetin,Ethionine and Chloramphenicol

Root formation in the etiolated pea stem sections and inhibition of this process is described in the present paper. Sodium fluoride, iodoacetic acid, norvaline, phenylserine, 5-bromuracil and 2-thiouracil did not inhibit the root formation completely. Complete inhibition, however, was observed after treatment of pea stem sections by kinetin, ethionine and chloramphenicol (5 X 10^-5 M, 1 x 10^-2 M, and 1 x 10^-2 16 hours after sectioning). The concentration of kinetin which produced complete inhibition of root formation simultaneously stimulated the growth of the lateral buds. Root formation under the conditions described below can be divided into two stages. The first stage 64 hours from the beginning of the experiment, the second stage 64 hours later. Further, the first stage includes the formation of the meristematic cells in the pericycle areas. In the second stage are included the growth of roots and differentiation of root-tissues. Roots were formed, first of all, in the short vertical region of the sections near to the basal buds. Secondary xylem formation was also observed during the cultivation of the sections. This process was stimulated by kinetin.