The present studies of the LDH isoenzymes have been made as a part of our studies on the respiration systems of the roots ofVicia faba. All the root zones had 5 LDH isoenzymes and 2 antibands, but there were differences in their relative quantity. Cathodic isoenzymes (LDH₅, LDH₄) prevailed in the meristematic zone, whereas the anodic ones (LDH₁) prevailed in the others. The different enzyme activity in individual zones is probably connected with the transition of the anaerobic metabolism in the meristem to the aerobic one in the differentiating parts of the root.

The character of endogenous growth substances was investigated in developing buds, young fruits and mature walnut leaves. The relatively high content of auxins and gibberellin-like substances was found by means of bioassays in the youngest primordia of vegetative buds. The level of auxins drops in the further course of primordia transformation into the staminate catkins. The development of leaf-buds is characterized by the accumulation of inhibitory activity as revealed by theAvena bioassay, whereas the data obtained from the lettuce bioassay indicate a pronounced stimulation. The onset of terminal bud development is also accompanied by inhibitions and it is only with pistillate flower differentiation that the temporary rise in auxin level is observed. An inhibitory activity was found in these extracts using lettuce bioassay. There is a relatively high auxin level in young fruits, mature leaves and resting buds during the mid-summer period whereas the accumulation of clearcut inhibitions is signalled by the results of lettuce bioassay.
The regulatory role of growth substances in differentiation may be better understood during the second year as many leaf-abnormities appear only with the outgrowing of the bud. Abnormal catkins differ in the number of florets and stamens and some even bear pistillate flowers. Fruit development is liable to deviations in the early stages of differentiation. Abnormal fruits enable us to elucidate many structural peculiarities.

The analysis of diurnal oscillatory movements of tobacco leaves was used in the diagnosis of viral infection of plants. The oscillatory helices circumscribed by a growing leaf of a healthy plant were regular, but some deviations, particularly in the transition points, were recorded.
In order to make clear the cause of these irregularities of trajectory, the course of elongation of leaf petiole and blade in relation to localization and shift of zones of elongation during ontogenesis was analysed. The present analysis is similar to that described by the author's earlier experiments with pea roots. Oscillatory curves circumscribed by petiole, projected on a horizontal plane, were compared with curves circumscribed by the blade tip. The analysis of the leaves of different ages enabled us to study this process in dependence on growth rate. It was confirmed that oscillations are a result of elongation; the extent of oscillations is quantitatively dependent on the growth rate. An analysis of the zones of growth showed that in petiole the active meristems are localized near to its base while in the leaf lamina they move gradually during the ontogenesis from the apical to the basal part of the leaf blade. Active meristems of young rapidly growing leaves are localized approximately in the middle of the blade while those of old leaves were found in close proximity to the base of the lamina. The growth rate of petiole can be expressed in hundreds of mm per hour (4.8×10^-2 mm h^-1); half of this value was recorded for its apical part. The growth rate of leaf blade was found approximately ten times higher (3.2×10^-1 mm h^-1).
The oscillatory movements of growing leaf consists of two integrate components: of oscillations originating in the base of the petiole and of oscillations of leaf blade the centrum of which is localized in the basal third of the blade.
The arrangement of the experiments did not enable us to determine to what extent the phototropic response of leaf blade participates in leaf movements. The movements of leaves of an intact plant are evidently affected by rhythmic stem oscillations. Stem is an integral part of a system which participates in the transfer of information in plants.

A study was made concerning the effect of the analogues of nucleic acid components upon the seed set inPapaver somniferum L. For the experiments flowers one day after anthesis were used, as the pollination taking place at this flower age had previously been found to be most efficient for the seed set. The solutions of analogues in a 10 per cent sucrose were applied by injecting them into the ovaries three hours prior to pollination. Damage to the ovary by the injection reduces the seed set by about two thirds.
In comparison with control flowers, into which only a sucrose solution was injected, 5-bromouracil at a concentration of 5.2×10^-4 M increases the seed set by about 70 per cent. Uracil brings about the same degree of promotion. The same concentration of 5-bromodeoxyuridine has no significant effect on the seed set. When applied simultaneously with uracil it suppresses its stimulating effect completely. The equimolar mixture of uracil and bromouracil did not cause any significant increase in the number of seeds in the capsules, either.

In barley embryos, treated with N-methyl (¹⁴C)-N-nitrosourea, the alkylation of nucleic acids was much higher than that of proteins and lipids. At a concentration inhibiting the growth of M₁ seedlings to 50%, 0.27% of DNA-guanine was methylated to N-7-methylguanine. In barley DNA, alkylatedin vitro, the presence of 3-methyladenine and 0-6-methylguanine was chromatographically detected.

Auxins (NAA, IAA) inhibited the seed germination of lettuce cv. Cabbage. The auxin-indueed inhibition of seed germination could be overcome if 2-chlorethanephosphonic acid (CEPA, ethrel) or kinetin was added simultaneously. Thus ethylene can also modulate the action of endogenous inhibitors in seed germination.

By comparing maize plants cultivated in standing nutrient solution with those from solutions flowing at different flow rates it has been established that absorption of nitrogen, potassium and especially of phosphorus was increased owing to the flow. There was likewise a relative rise in the distribution of nutrients to the overground parts of the plants. The content expressed per unit dry matter was increased only in the case of phosphorus; with nitrogen and potassium it was slightly lower than in the standing solution. Increasing amounts of iron were required under the conditions of flowing nutrient solutions to prevent chlorosis of the plants. The production of dry matter,NAR andRGR was also increased because of the flow. The flow considerably changed the habitus of the primary roots of the maize plants. The roots were longer, thinner and on the whole they contained relatively less dry matter (RWR). The lengthening of the roots is explained as a response to stimulation by the solution flow-the rheotropism.

Growth measurements on individual polycormones ofScirpus lacustris L. cultivated in hydroponic sand cultures from single rhizome cuttings enabled us to analyse the process of offshoot formation. The time interval in the growth of individual subsequent shoots of one polycormone (plastochron), the final length of the shoot and the number of shoots formed during the growth period are suitable parameters for describing the rhythm of offshoot formation. The interdependence of these parameters and the effect of cutting or shading of individual shoots characterize the translocation of assimilates produced by individual shoots, and their use for the growth of subsequent shoots.

The author compares the activity of ¶-fluorophenylalanine and the effect of a medium without nitrogen on the morphogenesis of hyphae of Achlya ambisexualis ♀. A hyperramification often corresponds to a mode of prelethal development and is observed in the same conditions as an asexual multiplication.

The metabolism of¹⁴C-anthranilic acid (¹⁴C-AA) in kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var.gongylodes L.) and the effect of radiation gamma⁶⁰Co on this metabolism was investigated. In hypocotylar segmnents of seven days old etiolated seedlings¹⁴C-AA was metabolised par, tially to its detoxication product¹⁴C-β-glucoside of AA. Simultaneously L-tryptophan was also formed, which in these plants is a precursor of indolic glucosinolates glucobrassicin and neoglucobrassicin.
The metabolism of¹⁴C-AA was followed for 97 h. Radiation, applied both to seeds and to seven days old plants did not affect the metabolism of¹⁴C-AA substantially. The intermediary reaction AA → L-tryptophan in the biosynthesis of L-tryptophan is not a radiosensitive part of the synthesis of this amino acid. A not too high radiation sensitivity (max. 45%) was observed in the metabolic pathway leading from L-tryptophan to glucobrassicin.

The homogenate of different strawberry organs inhibits the degradation of IAA in the presence of horse radish peroxidase, while intact strawberry tissues are able to degrade IAA. The chemical nature of peroxidase inhibitors present, in strawberry tissues was in vestigated. Using paper chromatography the following polyphenolic substances inhibiting peroxidase activity were identified: chlorogenic, caffeic, ellagic, gentisic, gallic, and vanillic acids, quercetin and pelarginidin. Monophenolic compounds, also present in strawberry, such as p-hydroxy-phenyloacetic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, are strong stimulators of IAA oxidase. Abscisic acid in very high concentration (1×10^-4M) enhances degradation of IAA by peroxidase.
When both poly-and monophenolic compounds at equimolar concentrations are present in the system, only the inhibition of IAA degradation occurs.
Tissue explants from the strawberry leaves and petiole degrade less IAA if they are previously forced to synthetize more polyphenols under illumination. Although the difference in IAA-decarboxylation activity between the illumination and dark treated explants was relatively small, nevertheless it was consistent and appears to be very important from a physiological point of view suggesting that there exists a regulatory relationin vivo between IAA degradation and the presence of phenolsin plant tissue.
Electron microscope data revealed that phenolic substances are specially isolated from cytoplasm of the receptacle cells.

The formation of the isothiocyanate group of the aglycone of glucobrassicin (Glubr) an indole glucosinolate present in relatively large quantities in plants of the familyBrassicaceae, was studied. Labelled Glubr was synthesized from L-tryptophan-3-¹⁴C-amino¹⁵N in winter rape hypocotyl segments. After extraction it was finally isolated in a crystalline state by mixed crystallization with added inactive Glubr tetramethylammonium salt. The specific activity of¹⁴C and the atoms % excess¹⁵N were determined in both the precursor and the product. The ratio¹⁴C/¹⁵N as well as the values of dilution of¹⁴C and¹⁵N were in agreement in the precursor and in the final product. This shows,inter alie, that during the biosynthesis of Glubr, L-tryptophan is not deaminated. Thus the presumed isothiocyanate group of Glubr is synthesized on the α-carbon of the L-tryptophan alanine chain, the α-carbon together with the attached nitrogen pass directly from the precursor into the Glubr aglycone. This represents a type of glucosinolate aglycone biosynthesis where the carbon chain of the initial amino acid is not elongated. This finding is supported by the fact that L-tryptophan-l-¹⁴C does not yield labelled Glubr the C₁ carbon being decarboxylated during Glubr synthesis.

A very simple and quick procedure for the visualization of local lesions caused by the common bean mosaic virus was developed. It consists in a treatment of bean leaves in 96 % èthanol 50 °C warm and in the subsequent staining of the leaves in Lugol solution and washing in 30 % ethanol.

In pumpkin plants suffering from calcium deficiency growth of the root system is characteristically suppressed. A biochemical symptom of calcium deficiency is a decrease or even complete disappearance of activity of one of the isoperoxidases (isoperoxidaseD). In the present study the two characteristics were used to compare the effects of calcium deficiency and of IAA in the supraoptimal concentration of 10^-5 M. Peroxidases were separated by centrifugal fractionation: peroxidasesA andB were found in the sediment corresponding to the mitochondrial fraction, peroxidaseD in the supernatant. It was not possible, however, to obtain the sediment completely free of peroxidaseD. A negative correlation between the activity of isoperoxidaseD and the logarithm of concentration of IAA in nutritive solution was found and similarities in the effects of IAA in supraoptimal concentration and of calcium deficiency on the development of root system were demonstrated. Still, it would be difficult to imagine that the mechanism of the action of the two factors is the same. For this reason, a scheme of possible interactions was suggested with the aim to explain how similar changes in the content of isoperoxidases are brought about by the two factors. In this scheme, calcium is considered chiefly as a substance regulating membrane permeability.

Cycloheximide, ethionine,p-fluorophenylalanine, 6-azauracil, 5-diazouracil and vanillin, applied at relatively high concentrations, retarded the yellowing of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var.acephala) leaf discs in darkness, and stimulated it in light. All the compounds inhibited protein synthesis and retarded protein breakdown. Cycloheximide,p-fluorophenylalanine, diazouracil and vanillin also inhibited the incorporation of uracil-¹⁴C into RNA of senescing discs. Abscisic acid and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid accelerated yellowing both in darkness and in light and stimulated the protein breakdown in senescing discs.
Abscisic acid inhibited the chlorophyll, protein and RNA synthesis in detached, greening cucumber cotyledons. There was no direct correlation between the activity of a given compound as an inhibitor of yellowing in darkness, and the degree of inhibition of RNA synthesis. The arrest of yellowing in darkness is possibly a consequence of the retarded rate of protein breakdown. Yellowing in light, on the contrary, is dependent on the actual rate of protein synthesis.

Studying the spread of mycoplasma, the causal agent of potato witches' broom disease, in tomato plants after grafting with infectious grafts ofNicotiana glaucaGrah., we found that after 9 days of graft symbiosis a hundred per cent infection occurred, whereas with infectious grafts ofSolanum lycopersicum this took place after 16 days. The first symptoms of the disease were manifested on tomato plants 21 days after grafting with infectiousNicotiana glauca grafts and 28 days after grafting with infectious tomato grafts. The results obtained present evidence for the possible preference of tomato plants for mycoplasma.

The content of endogenous GA₄ and GA₇ was determined in apple embryos cultured either on water or in the presence of ABA solution. The embryos were isolated from dormant seeds and from seeds removed from stratification which was effected either in water or in the presence of ABA. The influence of ABA on the decrease of two GAs levels was proved. The relation between the effect of ABA and the stage of stratification is closer in the case of GA₄ than GA₇. It is assumed ABA to inhibit the gibberellin biosynthesis.

A mycoplasma-like microorganism was identified on electron micrographs of ultrathin sections of roots and abnormal underground sprouts growing from roots of young apple trees artificially infected with the proliferation disease. Specimens taken in November, contained mycoplasmas at various stages of reproduction in sieve tubes of the host. Mycoplasma-like bodies occurred especially in abnormal underground sprouts, and rarely also in lateral roots.

Tre potato cultivars Erika and Krasava are unable to reproduce two strains of TMV systemically except when in graft symbiosis under normal greenhouse conditions with tomato which has been infected with the virus. The escape resistance of potato to TMV infection due to slight hypersensitivity was not changed either by long-lasting non-infectious symbiosis with TMV-sensitive tomato or in a constant environment (32±2 °C, 9 700 lx) which was adequate to change the hypersensitive reaction of some other TMV-hosts. On the contrary, enhanced temperature provoked a still more severe local and necrotic response in the potato varieties. This led to systemic necrosis and the quick death of potato components systemically infected in graft symbiosis with tomato under normal greenhouse conditions when transferred into an environment of enhanced temperature.

The determination of mitotic frequency was made in two variants: one part of seeds was germinated in darkness, the other-under periodical artificial lighting. The diurnal mitotic activity varied from 6.2 to 13.5 per cent. After germination under periodical lighting two peaks of mitotic activity [at 6°c a.m. and 4°c p.m.] were found whereas after germination in darkness there was only one [at 12°c a.m. or 6°c p.m. in different repeats].

The effect of growth retarding amino acids (L-aspartic acid,L-leucine,L-methionine, andL-threonine) on nitrate reductase (NO₃R), nitrite reductase (NO₂R), and NADH₂ dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in excised pea roots was followed,L-methionine andL-threonine slightly depressed NO₃R activity,L-aspartic acid enhanced NO₂R and GDH activities.L-methionine andL-threonine also slightly decreased nitrate uptake. The results obtained are discussed in connection with the growth effects of the amino acids investigated.

The changes n dry weight and in the content of sugars and starch of leaves of the evergreen species Prunus laurocerasus L. were studied in the field and in laboratory conditions. The leaves of field-grown bushes as well as those kept under controlled conditions were analyzed at one week intervals at the end of the winter and in early spring from March 11 to May 6, 1970, The effect of four different temperature regimes was compared (day/night) : A : - 2 to - 6 °C/ - 6°C. B: 6°C/ -6°C, C: 6 °C/6 °C and D: 12 °C/ - 6 °C. During the whole experimental period of 56 days a net increase in dry weight 246.84 mg dm^-2, i.e. 21.7 % was found under field conditions. A negative balance in assimilate management was recorded only during the one week period. The total content of sugars decreased from 11.68 % to 6.42 % while the content of starch rose from zero to 3.12 %. The net increase in dry matter found under controlled conditions was 6.69 (A), 4.68 IB). 6.88 (C) and -0.43 (D) mg dm^-2 d^-1.

The paper deals with the effect of some factors on the set of mature seeds in artificially pollinated excised placentae cultivatedin vitro.
It was revealed that both the degree and the variability of the seed set depend on the age of the experimental flowers. The best results were achieved using placentae excised from the flowers collected 1 to 3 days after anthesis.
The technique of pollination which consists in applying pollen onto a certain site of the placenta was substantially more successful than dusting pollen over the entire placenta surface or sowing pollen on the nutrient medium in close proximity to placentae.
It was confirmed that casein hydrolysate at a concentration of 500 μg ml^-1 nutrient medium favourably affected the seed formationin vitro.
The seed set resulting fromin vitro fertilization does not depend upon whether, during, a fourweek cultivation, the cultures are kept in the dark or in diffused daylight.

Deformities of leaves induced by 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) may be helpful in elucidating certain plant growth correlations. The different behaviour of long and short shoots as regards apical dominance may be tested with this substance. Shoots growing out through ring fasciations first form leaves lacking the teeth and marginal primordia corresponding to bud scales. Are fasciations facilitate correlative studies on anisophylly. Sylleptic branching is cleared by additional fasciations provoked by the cytokinin supply. The effect of gibberellin which decreases these deformities corresponds to the correlative influence of roots. The TIBA induced modification of aerial roots on internodes treated with naphthalenacetic acid reveals the importance of polarity and periodicity in the shoot development.

Five mm sections excised from 20, 30 and 40 mm long coleoptiles were transferred into a indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) solution after an incubation in a medium containing buffer and sucrose without IAA. The ability of sections to elongate in dependence on IAA treatment was rapidly decreased at a temperature of 23 °C within a period of time depending both on the duration of incubation and on the age of coleoptiles from which sections were obtained. Under the same conditions of incubation and age the same decrease of the ability of sections to elongate at 4 °C was, however, observed only after a period fourfold longer than at 23 °C. Incubation of sections in the presence of benzimidazole did not extend their reactivity to IAA. This phenomenon may be therefore considered as a senescence reaction which is more effective at 23 °C than at 4 °C.

The employment of the classic stand density experiments in studies of the horizontal organization of plant stands is very laborious and requires a large experimental field area. The procedure based on the regular thickening of plant stands is more convenient for plants grown in a lower density. A simplified modification of this method is described which keeps a constant square nutritional area regardless of the plant densities.

Both CCC and cold (5°C) treatment gave rise to an increased content of the water-soluble proteins in leaf tissue of the winter rape, irrespective of the day length. This effect was accompanied by a decrease of the insoluble nitrogen compounds content, mainly under theLD (the 16 hour day). The applied retardant also stimulated the consumption of the structural compounds induced by low temperature.
Low temperature treatment hardened plants more distinctly than the CCC application. The frost hardening effect of CCC andSD (the 8 hour day) was manifested only at 20°C and it disappeared at 5°C.
Changes in frost hardiness were not correlated with the changes in the reducing sugar content and in the reducing ability of the studied tissue. The coincident effect of CCC and cold on the reducing sugar content was observed underSD conditions.

Barley seeds were treated with ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS), washed for 24 h, redried to 15 per cent moisture and stored at 25°C. The criteria used for expressing the effect of storage were chromosomal aberrations in root tips, M₁ germination, M₁ seedling height, M₁ survival and the frequency of M₂ chlorophyll mutants. The increase of the M₁ biological injury due to storage was not influenced:
a) by applying EMS solutions at pH 2, pH 7 and pH 10,
b) by lowering the EMS concentration and increasing the treatment time,
c) by different variations of washing with water and by washings with 0.005 N NaOH, 200 mM cysteine or 200 mM thiourea. The rate of the increase of the M₁ injury due to storage depends on the EMS dose. With a decrease in the EMS dose the storage effect is more delayed.

The influence of photoperiodic induction on the incorporation of uridine-³H into the shoot apices ofChenopodium rubrum was studied using the technique of autoradiography. No increase in uridine incorporation was detected either during induction lasting three days or immediately after its termination. Pyroninophylia likewise did not rise. However, changes in uridine incorporation related to morphogenetic activity during leaf formation and later during differentiation of inflorescences were well marked. The distribution of label in the nucleus immediately after three inductive cycles shows the ratio of extranucleolar to nucleolar incorporation to be higher in non-induced control plants than in induced ones.
Data from literature pointing to an activation of RNA synthesis during transition to flowering are discussed and compared with other systems where ontogenetic changes are accompanied by marked changes in RNA synthesis. It is assumed that the activation of RNA synthesis after induction is connected mainly with the activation of growth. However, inChenopodium rubrum photoperiodic induction proceeds together with limited growth and without activation of RNA synthesis.