Changes in the Petiole of Leaves of Manihot esculenta (Crantz), on Rooting

The effects of age of leaf and of application of synthetic hormoneon the ability to produce roots, were investigated in leavesof Manihot esculenta. It was found that the age of the leafwas not critical to the process, but that the application ofhormone resulted in an early and prolific production of roots. The anatomy of the rooted petiole was investigated and was foundto differ from that of an unrooted petiole in three respects:in an increase in the amount of secondarily produced tissues;in the incomplete lignification of the secondary xylem and inthe production of adventitious roots from the interfascicularregions of the basal end.