Structural physiological, and biochemical gradients in tobacco pith tissue.

Explants of tobacco pith taken at various distances from the apex of a mature stem show a sharp gradient in growth potential in vitro; growth is highest in the extreme apical and basal explants, and is minimal in explants removed ca. 75 cm from the apex. Calluses produced by the vigorously growing basal explants are harder and more compact than those produced from more apical explants. The gradient in growth potential is directly correlated with gradients in RNA, protein of cell sap and soluble N per unit fresh weight, but is inversely correlated with peroxidase activity. Cell size increases from apex to base of plants.The peroxidase activity of pith explants is electrophoretically resolvable into 2 isoperoxidases, moving anodically at pH 9.0. During in vitro culture, this activity rises, due to the formation of several new isozymes moving toward the cathode. The appearance of these isozymes occurs most rapidly in apical and extreme basal explants.