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Rapid Changes in the Pattern of Electric Current around the Root Tip of Lepidium sativum L. following Gravistimulation ¹

Botanisches Institut der Universität Bonn, D-5300 Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany, Botanisches Institut der Techn. Universität Karlsruhe, D-7500 Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany

Using a highly sensitive vibrating electrode, the pattern of naturally occurring electric currents around 1-day-old primary roots of Lepidium sativum L. growing vertically downward and the current pattern following gravistimulation of the root has been examined. A more or less symmetrical pattern of current was found around vertically oriented, downward growing roots. Current entered the root at the root cap, the meristem, and the beginning of the elongation zone and left the root along most of the elongation zone and in the root hair zone. After the root was tilted to a horizontal position, we observed current flowing acropetally at the upper side of the root cap and basipetally at the lower side within about 30 seconds in most cases. After a delay of several minutes, acropetally oriented current was also found flowing along the upper side of the meristematic zone. The apparent density of the acropetal current in the root cap region increased and then decreased with time. Gravitropic curvature was first visible approximately 10 minutes after tilting of the root to the horizontal position. Since the change in the pattern of current in the root cap region precedes bending of the root and is different for the upper and lower side, a close connection is suggested between the current and the transduction of information from the root cap to the elongation zone following graviperception in the cap.

³ Present address and address for reprint requests: Botanisches Institut der Techn. Universität Karlsruhe, Kaiserstrasse 2, D-7500 Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany.

¹ Supported financially by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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