Endogenous and exogenous auxin in the control of root growth.

The endogenous indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) of detipped apical segments from roots of maize (cv ORLA) was greatly reduced by an exodiffusion technique which depended upon the preferential acropetal transport of the phytohormone into buffered agar. When IAA was applied to the basal cut ends of freshly prepared root segments only growth inhibitions were demonstrable but after the endogenous auxin concentration had been reduced by the exodiffusion technique it became possible to stimulate growth by IAA application. The implications of the interaction between exogenous and endogenous IAA in the control of root segment growth are discussed with special reference to the role of endogenous IAA in the regulation of root growth and geotropism.