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Instability in the root meristem of Zea mays L. during growth
Author(s) -
CLOWES F. A. L.,
WADEKAR R.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1989.tb04213.x
Subject(s) - meristem , zea mays , mitosis , biology , root cap , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , shoot , agronomy
SUMMARY Primary roots of Zea mays L., when grown to 100 mm long, may display instability in the architecture of their meristems. This occurs over the whole temperature range from 15 to 35 °C, but most frequently at the two extremes of the range and is associated with abnormally low ratios between rates of mitosis in the proximal tier of the cap cells and rates in the cells of the Quiescent centre. Anomalous meristems show either proliferation of the number of cell layers between stelar pole and cap boundary or protrusions of cells derived from the quiescent centre into the cap where they can spread to form new sets of cap initials. The process can be repeated, but there is no evidence to suggest that the originally closed meristem ever operates as an open meristem with only transiently quiescent cells distal to the stelar pole.