THE TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENCE OF THE MAXIMUM AXIAL GROWTH PRESSURE OF ROOTS OF PEA (PISUM-SATIVUM L)

Although it has been suggested that the maximum axial growth pressure of roots is temperature-dependent, this has not previously been tested experimentally In this paper we report the temperature-dependence of the maximum axial growth pressure of completely mechanically-impeded r oots of pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Meteor). Maximum growth pressures wer e somewhat lower at 15 and 20 degrees C than at 10, 25 or 30 degrees C , but there was no overall trend for maximum growth pressure to increa se or decrease with temperature. Turgor pressure in unimpeded roots va ried little with temperature and we suggest that cell wall tension in completely impeded roots also varies little with temperature.