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Autonomic Straightening after Gravitropic Curvature of Cress Roots1

Bratislav Stankovic'2, Dieter Volkmann, and Fred David Sack*

Department of Plant Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210 (B.S., F.D.S.); and Botanisches Institut, Universität Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany (D.V.)

Few studies have documented the response of gravitropically curved organs to a withdrawal of a constant gravitational stimulus. The effects of stimulus withdrawal on gravitropic curvature were studied by following individual roots of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) through reorientation and clinostat rotation. Roots turned to the horizontal curved down 62° and 88° after 1 and 5 h, respectively. Subsequent rotation on a clinostat for 6 h resulted in root straightening through a loss of gravitropic curvature in older regions and through new growth becoming aligned closer to the prestimulus vertical. However, these roots did not return completely to the prestimulus vertical, indicating the retention of some gravitropic response. Clinostat rotation shifted the mean root angle -36° closer to the prestimulus vertical, regardless of the duration of prior horizontal stimulation. Control roots (no horizontal stimulation) were slanted at various angles after clinostat rotation. These findings indicate that gravitropic curvature is not necessarily permanent, and that the root retains some commitment to its equilibrium orientation prior to gravitropic stimulation.

1   This work was supported by grants from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (grant no. NAG2-1023) to F.S. and by Deutsche Agentur für Raumfahrtangelegenheiten (Bonn, Germany, grant no. 50 9429) and MWF (Düsseldorf) to D.V.
2   Present address: Botany Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695.
*   Corresponding author; e-mail sack.1{at}osu.edu; fax 1-614- 292-6345.

Plant Physiol. (1998) 117: 893-900
Copyright Clearance Center:   0032-0889/98/117/0893/08
© 1998 American Society of Plant Physiologists




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G. Hou, D. R. Mohamalawari, and E. B. Blancaflor
Enhanced Gravitropism of Roots with a Disrupted Cap Actin Cytoskeleton
Plant Physiology, March 1, 2003; 131(3): 1360 - 1373.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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