Epinasty in <i>Cynodon plectostachyum</i> R. Pilger induced by sucrose and its reversion by gibberellic acid and nitrogen compounds

Abstract

Previously evidence has been presented to support the view that sucrose is responsible for the prostrate habit of some grasses. Thus it was demonstrated that detached apical pieces of stolons or rhizornes continued to grow horizontally if they were fed with high concentrations of sucrose. Otherwise, these organs would be expected to curve upwards. Further work was succesful in inducing, by mean of sucrose, a downward bending (epinasty) of detached stolons placed in an erect position. In this note, the methods are reported and the results briefly commented.