Abstract
ISOLATED leaves are able to live independently in soil with root systems of their own induced from their petioles by the application of synthetic hormones1. Leaves of Amaranthus gangeticus, Linn. var. tristis were grown in soil with such root systems induced by an aqueous solution of β-indolyl butyric acid of the strength of five parts per million. After a month the petioles became thicker and stouter, and transverse sections, a photomicrograph of one of which is given in Fig. 1, revealed an anomalous type of secondary growth peculiar to the stem of the species. Fig. 2 depicts a transverse section of a petiole of a leaf of the same age attached to the plant and shows no secondary growth. Secondary growth is initiated outside the original vascular bundles by accessory cambium formed in distinct arcs. Small discrete groups of secondary xylem are cut off inwards and are embedded in parenchymatous conjunctive tissue whereas phloem is poorly developed. No interfascicular cambium is formed and secondary growth takes place within the primary bundles by the activation of the rudimentary fascicular cambium.
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References
Gregory, F. G., and Samantarai, B., J. Exp. Bot., 1, 159 (1950).
Snow, R., New Phyt., 34, 349 (1935).
Arber, A., “The Natural Philosophy of Plant Form”, 70 (1950).
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SAMANTARAI, B., KABI, T. Secondary Growth in Petioles and the Partial-Shoot Theory of the Leaf. Nature 172, 37 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/172037a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/172037a0
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