SLOUGHING OF ROOT CAP CELLS

Root cap cells of Zen mays sloughed into water have been counted at short intervals and after 24 h. The results have been compared with rates of cell production calculated from the use of the stathmokinetic agent, colchicine, on the four active tiers of the cap meristem.More cells are produced by the cap meristem and sloughed by the cap when roots are grown in low densities in water or when the water is changed at more frequent intervals. The range at between 250 and 50 roots per litre is from 3000 to 7000 cells per root per day for seedling primary roots grown continuously in water at 23 °C for 24 h. The results are discussed in relation to previous estimates of cap cell proliferation and the possibility of periodic sloughing of cells and slime. © 1978 Annals of Botany Company.