In experiments with fodder cabbage and sugar beet the influences were tested which restrict the finding of a uniform linear dependence between the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. The main factor is most probably the irradiation during the growth of plants and the measuring of photosynthetic rate. Changes in the density and length of irradiation with the proceeding spring season are reflected in the decrease of unit chlorophyll activity in all leaves of the plant. Such differences were not observed in plants grown in winter months at a low greenhouse irradiation density. High irradiation density during the measurement of photosynthesis ensures the finding of high correlation of photosynthetic rate with the chlorophyll amount per unit area of leaf. With a low irradiation density, or in thick leaves, the lower layers of chloroplasts are not saturated with radiation, and hence a higher correlation coefficient is found by relating photosynthetic rate to the percentage of chlorophyll in dry weight than to the quantity of chlorophyll per unit area of leaf blade. In some experiments higher activity of chlorophylls was found in young leaves before they have reached the state of "photosynthetic maturity" than after this turning point. This difference diminished by relating the photosynthetic rate to chlorophylla content instead of the total amount of chlorophylls (a+b). High activity of chlorophylls in very young leaves and great individual variability within the experimental plant groups caused by uneven cultivation conditions are the basis of apparent sigmoid character of average curves for the chlorophyll-photosynthesis relation.

It was shown that in the horse bean seeds (Vicia faba) the cotyledon proteins are identical, from an immunochemical standpoint, with those coming from the extracotyledon parts (radicle, young stem and embryonal leaves, in totality). However, the beginning of the germinative process exerts a different influence on the antigenic properties of the constitutive parts of the seed. The modification of the antigenic structure in cotyledons takes place slowly. On the contrary, in the extracotyledon parts a rapid decrease was found of the number of antigens present in the non-germinated seed. As the organs become differentiated, the hydrolysis process of these antigens goes on until their almost complete exhaustion. However, it appears that three of the initial antigens remain in the newly arisen leaves. Besides these antigens there are also specific-organ antigens which appear as the respective organs become morphologically differentiated. It was found that in the growing leaves the process of photosynthesis induces the synthesis of antigens characteristic for the mature leaves. The organ-specific antigens occur during plant development at the time when the leaf attains the morphological structure and the functional specialization characteristic for maturity.

The dense vacuoles, considered to be the classic Golgi apparatus in the root meristem ofFagopyrum, were studied by the following methods: 1. Impregnation methods for the demonstration of the Golgi apparatus, 2. cytochemical methods, 3. electron microscopic methods in the light microscope and 4. the electron microscope. A comparison was made with the classic Golgi apparatus in animal cells in the light and electron microscope.
Dense vacuoles inFagopyrum and also evidently in other plants, were taken for the classic Golgi apparatus on account of their morphological similarity to the Golgi apparatus in animal cells on impregnation with silver and osmium and their staining preperties with lipoid methods. Dense vacuoles differ from the classic Golgi apparatus in other chemical properties, such as content of phenol substances, etc. No formations were found in animal cells which were similar to dense vacuoles on investigating by electron microscopy. In the electron microscope dense vacuoles have the appearance of derivatives of the normal light vacuoles known in plant cells. They therefore belong to vacuome of plant cell and cannot be analogous to the classic Golgi apparatus in animal cells. Thus the use of the term Golgi apparatus for dense vacuoles is not well founded.
A comparison was made of fixation and impregnation used in the light microscope with fixation in the electron microscope. After fixation with permanganate, dense vacuoles have the same shape as after impregnation. After fixation with permanganate, they stain an intense black in the same way as after impregnation with silver and osmium. The form of the vacuoles is dependent on the fixation used. The comparison was made in the light microscope.

It was observed that the polyploids ofTrigonella foenum-graecum produced by seed treatment with 0.2% colchicine died after two cotyledonary stage, while the ones produced by seedling treatment survived. The root and shoot of seed treated plants were found to be mixoploids. The root tips exhibited 2n to 12n chromosomes and with the passage of time there is a regular decrease in the frequency of cells with lower chromosomes. The frequency of dividing cells decreases considerably towards the end of the 6th day due to the highploidy of most of the ploid plants. In case of seedling treatment the first formed tissue was mixoploid of high level similar to that of seed treated ones but in some cases the growing tip reverted to low level of ploidy which lead to more or less normal growth.
Since the difference in the constitution of seed and seedling treated plants lies in their root system, it has been suggested that probably highploidy of root system in the former may be responsible for the 100% mortality of plants.

The transmission of carrot mosaic virus (CMV) by the crude sap to 11 varieties of plants from 4 families was demonstrated. From these plants the virus could be transferred back to a healthy carrot cultivated from the seed in isolation. The incubation time required for the appearance of the symptoms of CMV was 7-20 days. The plants on which mosaic or spot symptoms appeared on the leaves after transfer by the sap at temperatures below 15°C remains habitually healthy after the transfer of virus at higher temperatures.
The results of the mechanical inoculation of CMV by the crude infectious sap to young carrots cultivated from seeds differentiated this virus fromApium virus 1, which after mechanical inoculation causes chlorosis of the youngest carrot leaves in contrast to CMV. A further differentiation of CMV fromApium virus 1 is shown by the fact that CMV can be transferred only to the familyDaucaceae. It differs in this fromApium virus 1 which is transferred exclusively to this family (Köhler, Klinkowski 1954). CMV is differentiated fromCucumis virus 1/Doolittle Smith by some different host plants.

Investigating weeds for viruses in ruderal localities of Greater Prague two forms of mosaic diseases inSisymbrium loeselii Jusl. were demonstrated (green and yellowish-green mosaic). Transmission tests carried out on differential host plants showed that the green mosaic is caused by cabbage black ringspot virus (CBRV) and the yellowish green by mixed infection of CBRV and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
TMV-isolate is characterized as an unusual necrotic strain; its capability to reproduce in cruciferous plant in nature is unique.
It was ascertained that green mosaic was commonly spread overSisymbrium plants in ruderal ***DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01GP029 00004 associations on Prague territory; epidemiological significance of this discovery is discussed.

The exposure ofTaraxacum officinale L. at flowering time to a weak magnetic field resulted in (1) retarded opening and the closing of the inflorescence, (2) wilting and death after prolonged exposure. Controls were unchanged. Plants exposed to the effect of magnetic fields were degenerated in subsequent year.

Plants of two varieties of winter wheat-Besostoya 1 and Etoile de Choisie- were raised in the field. The same number of selected plants from each variety were frozen once in a refrigerator at a temperature of -15°C for 24 hrs. After freezing, the plants were gradually thawed and returned to the field. Early in the spring, test and control plants were treated with one of following diluted solutions: vitamin B₁, vitamin B₆, indolyl-3-acetic acid and adenine (the four solutions at a concentration of 0.01% and 5% urea solution in water) by immersion for 15 hrs. at a temperature of 18-20°C. The plants were measured in the spring and in the summer, the yield being determined after ripening.
It was found that all substances used helped to diminish the deleterious consequences of overwintering and to raise the yield of the plants. Vitamin B₆ exerted the strongest influence. Vitamin B₆ treated plants produced higher or slightly lower yields than those of the non-frozen control. Plants treated with vitamin B₁ gave yields close to, but in most cases lower than those of the non-frozen control.
The yields of plants treated with solutions of the remaining substances were appreciably lower than those of the non-frozen controls.
Plants of the more winter-hardy variety Besostoya 1 recovered relatively more easily under the effect of the substances used than the plants of the less winter-hardy variety Etoile de Choise.

A study was made of the anatomical structure of the shoot apices ofHyoscyamus niger L. in plants which were transferred from a long-day to a short-day regime after the initiation of the inflorescence. After a certain time these plants are reverted to the vegetative stage with the inhibition of the development of further flower buds and the renewed production of rosette leaves. The inflorescence apex consisted of a few superficial layers of cells and a corpus composed of slightly elongated cells. The anatomical structure of the apices which were reverted into the vegetative state resembled that of shoot apices in the intermediate stage. The apex had several layers of small cells, under which there was a group of small but irregularly arranged cells which passed into the rib meristem.
The shoot apices of plants transferred from a long to a short-day regime at different time intervals after fulfilling the requirements of minimal photoperiodic induction thus, on the short day, display morphological and anatomical characteristics of various degrees of transition from generative to vegetative stage.

The effect of the individual leaf blades of spring wheat on the dry matter of stalks, chaff and grain (caryopses), of spikes and total overground part, was studied. In the experimental plants the individual leaf blades were detached according to the scheme given, at the beginning of shooting, (A), at the beginning of earing (B), and at the beginning of flowering (C). The dry matter (fresh weight) of the stalk was least decreased if either the lowest or the uppermost leaf blade was severed during the developmental phase of shooting. The dry as well as the fresh weights of chaff were least affected in those plants where the leaf blade was removed during the developmental phase of flowering. Both the dry and fresh weights of caryopses were least decreased if either the lowest or the uppermost leaf blade was removed during the developmental phase of flowering. The dry weight as well as the relative water content of chaff and ear grains were most decreased following removal of leaf blades during the developmental phase of shooting. The relative water content of chaff, grains and ears was most decreased following removal of developed leaf blades during the developmental phase of earing. It was confirmed that in addition to the photosynthetic activity of leaves the photosynthesis of other parts of the stem system (stalk internodes, ear awns etc.) participated in the production of total dry matter of experimental plants. The photosynthetic activity of leaf blades was particularly high up to the earing phase, while subsequently the photosynthesis of extrafoliar area (stalk internodes and ears) predominated. In spite of this, participation of the total leaf area is very high in the formation of grain dry matter (over 50%), as well as of the total dry matter of plant (over 80%).

When the epicotyl and one cotyledon is cut off from pea seedlings, only the axillary of the amputated cotyledon is known to grow. When³²P is applied to the roots of such plants, then a higher radioactivity appears in the axillary of the amputated cotyledon already 24 hrs. after amputation of one cotyledon, although this axillary is of the same size at this time as that of the remaining cotyledon. This fact indicates a more extensive material transport to the axillary bud of the amputated cotyledon already during the first day after amputation
The effect of individual regulators on the³²P transport was investigated in an experiment where pea seedlings cultivated in the dark were decapitated and a 0.5% paste, containing the regulatory compounds was placed either on the cutting surface in the apical part of the epicotyl stump or in its central part. After a week the plant roots were supplied with³²P and its transport to the upper part of the epicotyl stump was followed. This transport increased about 10-fold in the case of a paste, containing indolyl acetic acid, when the paste was spread on the apical cutting surface of the stump. However, the transport was inhibited when the paste was applied in the central part of the stump. These results indicate that only the transport of³²P towards the paste with indolyl acetic acid is accelerated, whereas it is decelerated above this paste. A paste, containing triodobenzoic acid inhibited³²P transport only when applied to the apical cutting surface of the epicotyl stump and not when spread over the middle part. In this case³²P transport was more rapid above the paste than towards the paste. The situation was similar in the case of gibberellin and kinetin.

The effect of different exposures to RTG radiation (100 r, 250 r, 500 r, 1000 r, 2500 r, 5000 r) on the changes of the permeability of the epidermal cells ofAllium cepa L., variety Všetaty, bulbs was studied during three vegetation periods. Bulbs from growing plants (followed from the development phase of bulb growth) and bulbs immediately after harvesting were used for the experiments.
It was demonstrated in our experiments by plasmolysis that the radiation-induced changes of cell permeability were irreversible. When plasmolytic agents of non-electrolyte character (1M sucrose, 1M glycerol, 1M urea) were used, the equilibrium state (total plasmolysis) was reached more rapidly with the irradiated bulbs than with the unirradiated controls. When electrolytes were used (0.5M KNO₃, 0,5M KBr), total plasmolysis occurred less rapidly with the irradiated objects than with the controls. These relationships were manifest during the whole ontogenesis ofAllium cepa L. An exposure to 100 r was sufficient in our experiments for causing the mentioned changes, proving a considerable sensitivity of the osmotic properties of the epidermal cells ofAllium cepa L. bulbs to ionizing RTG radiation.
Plasmolytic experiments after smaller exposures than 100 r of RTG-rays are in preparation.

In a previous communication (Bartoš, Kubín andŠetlík 1960) a method was reported, which makes it possible to measure the average rate of photosynthesis in a representative sample of a large number of leaves. The sampling is made by cutting out disks of leaf tissue, following a definite pattern. Isolated leaf disks are then illuminated under controlled conditions and the rate of photosynthesis is estimated by weighing the increment of dry matter in a given time interval.
Data published in the present paper demonstrate that this method can be successfully used for a characterisation of photosynthetic capacity (specific rate of photosynthesis, seeBartoš, Kubín andŠetlík 1960). Both specific values for individual plants and average values for homogenous plant populations may be estimated with very good accuracy. One of the chief factors which render this possible is obviously the surprising homogeneity of the photosynthetic tissue of leaves. Samples of very small size may serve as representative of a large total leaf area, e.g. of a population under field conditions.
Preliminary results of comparative investigations suggest that, with the plant varieties examined, differences in photosynthetic capacity are not very great, both between and within populations of diverse varieties. Differences as large as 50% have been encountered so far solely between values of photosynthetic capacity estimated for individual plants in a population. On the other hand, values of average photosynthetic capacity in populations of crop plant varieties within one species or genus are, as a rule, not very distinct and quite often no statistically significant difference can be demonstrated in such cases. Even if the varieties belong to different genera, differences in photosynthetic capacity in their populations greater than some 50% have been found only as an exception.
In considering all these results one important fact must be taken into account, i.e. the intensity of illumination in the apparatus. Contrary to what was intended and awaited, the radiation intensity used was not high enough to saturate photosynthesis in leaf disks. The light dependence of photosynthesis in isolated portions of leaf tissue apparently has a somewhat different character from that usually assumed for intact leaves of higher plants.

Experiments with isolated wheat roots and with intact wheat plants showed that glutamic acid decarboxylase from the roots takes part in the transformation of substance in the medium and that its activity is influenced by the medium. Glutamic acid decarboxylase is thus a factor taking part in the formation of substances excreted by the plants roots.

Plants of ten varietal populations of maize and their progenies in S₃ generation had been evaluated for their resistance to sources of corn smut in conditions of increased infection level. According to the infection degree, the experimental material was divided into classes (I-V) corresponding to five categories of resistance.
The relative representation of progenies from populations differing in their susceptibility to the parasite in their particular classes showed that the heterozygous varietal populations posses some imunological structure.
1. In the composition of the populations the resistant forms prevail over the susceptible ones. In the populations studied 82.8-98.5% dissected at selfing were grouped into classes I-III.
2. The basis of resistance of populations is formed by a group of forms ranged into the second class of resistance. This group being equally represented in all populations (31.1-40.8%) independently of their susceptibility to corn smut.
3. The differences in disease attack of plants of the particular populations had been influenced by the relative participation of selfed progenies, ranged on the one hand into class I and on the other hand into classes III and IV. The occurence of progenies in these categories in populations arranged consecutively from higher to lower resistance varied in conformity on extent 46.2-15.5%, 11.5-37.5% and 1.5-17.8%.
The experimental data showed, among others that the general smut attack of plants in populations (23.5-49.6%) corresponded in most instances to the average attack of progenies in S₃ generation (21.0-44.2%).

The part of the radioactive fractions of humus substances which is soluble in alcohol (or in ether) spreads from drops of solution or from a mixture with lanoline paste mainly through the vascular bundles. The active component of humic acid evidently does not spread in the leaves, while the active component of fulvic acids fails to penetrate the tissues of some plants, but in others spreads to a distance of several centimetres.

Lucerne plants in the first crop year as well as plants of spring wheat from different sites of the respective experimental plots showed differences in sap exudation from detopped roots or from stumps of the main shoots, reflecting differences in properties of the soil profile. The differences in sap exudation were observed at a time when the plants did not show any visible differences in water availability.
Differences in the water potential deficit of the leaf blades of lucerne plants in the second crop year and of sugar beet plants, related to differences in soil profile properties, were observed in another series of experiments. Sugar beet plants showed a higher physiological lability than lucerne plants.
The sites characterized by unfavourable plant-water-relations usually gave lower yields. The coefficients of variability for the yields of lucerne fresh matter from irrigated plots were three times lower than those for yields from plots without irrigation, influenced by soil heterogeneity.

Quantitative determination of chlorophyll a and β can be made by paper chromatography of acetone extracts of plant material with colorimetric measurement of the eluates from the separated zones.
From the suitable solvent systems which give adequate separation of the pigments at a distance of 20 cm. from the start,Hager's mixture (1955) separates the chlorophylls better than the toluene-isopropanol (400: 1 v/v.) mixture, which, however, is better for the separation of carotenoids. Twice the amount of chlorophyll is separated on Whatman 31 ET paper, equally well and with the same time of development, as on Whatman No. 3 paper, on which it is possible to separate a maximum of about 15 μg of chlorophyll pigments per 1 em. start length. Losses on elution are, however, higher on using Whatman 31 ET paper. In plants with a high chlorophyllase activity, the error of determining chlorophyll a andb is greatly reduced if the leaves are placed for 1 min. in boiling water before extraction. For elution of chlorophylla andb from paper it is better to use anhydrous acetone, for chlorophyllides 80% acetone.
A comparison of the procedure investigated with the method of two-wave length spectrophotometric measurement of crude acetone extracts showed that in view of the average 10% loss, the chromatographic method is hardly suitable for determining the absolute amounts of chlorophylla andb, although the relation (a/b) can be determined with similar precision by both methods. Moreover, in view of the greater amount of work involved the chromatographic method can only be recommended for confirming the results of spectrophotometrie determination. Quantitative determination of chlorophylls from the area of the spot or from the "R_F" value can only be of an informative character.

The different components of humus-alcoholic extract, humic acids and fulvic acids-progressively isolated from compost garden soil and deprived of minerál ions by electrodialysis, were, after addition to Sachs's nutrient solution, found to have differing effects on the growth of stems and roots of tomato plants. Similarly, differences in the effect on oxygen intake of leaves and roots was confirmed and varying amounts of chlorophyll were determined in the leaves. Fulvic acids were shown to be more active components of humus than humic acids. Morphological changes in the root system were found to be more typical for an estimation of the action of the different components of humus than the changes in physiological characteristics mentioned above.

The seeds contain such a high percentage of phosphoric acid that it interferes with the obtaining of correct results in analysis. Its prior removal from the solution of ash is therefore necessary. A new method is suggested for the entire analysis which is a combination of percolation through an ionexchanger column and colorimetric and gravimetric determination.
The oxide values and the average content of ash per 100 g. dry weight of seeds ascertained by analysis were used to calculate the weight of each determined element per 100 g. of dried substance.
The analysis showed that traces of tin are present in the ash of the seeds tested.
Under the given conditions each species maintains its characteristic way of storing ash constituents in the seeds and this is not obviously affected by the affinity of the plants or the influence of the soil.

The work presented in this paper was a study of the influence of different isolated humus substances when applied to the overground parts of plants by spraying on the leaves. The humus components employed showed varying effects on growth, respiration and chlorophyll content inBegonia semperflorens Link et Otto. The result of the physiological changes is reflected in morphological changes of the overground parts and particularly in the structure of the root system. Fulvic acids were found to be the most effective of the humus components when sprayed on leaves.

The barley variety "Browarny P.Z.H.R." was grown in pots. Experiments on the course of development were conducted for two years. The increase in the dry weight of roots, leaves, stems and grain was recorded. The assimilation area of the plants was measured periodically and the rate of respiration in detached leaves was determined. Photographic records were kept of growing point and ear development. The dynamics of growth and development were studied during the whole vegetation period. The present results are similar to those previously obtained for spring wheat. The short period of leaf activity is the chief factor limiting barley growth.

Root formation was studied in cuttings from tomato plants infected with stolbur and Czechoslovak type II potato witches' broom viruses. A highly significant difference in root formation was always found in plants with clear-cut disease symptoms. Potato witches' broom virus inhibited the root growth more than stolbur. In all cases, diseased plants showed a greater variability in the weights of roots than healthy controls.

Statmographs were used for determining the curves of weight decrement of severed root tips of the squash (Cucurbita maxima L.) with time and were examined under controlled conditions. The existence of two qualitatively different fractions of water could not be demonstrated by the method used, all the curves obtained displaying a completely continuous character, without any inflexion point. The basic shape of the curves remained preserved on desiccation at different temperatures (20-40° C), at different relative humidity (45-90%), with plants of different age and different composition of aqueous media (Knop's nutrient solution, calcium-free medium, distilled water). Not even a 0.01% solution of potassium humate which significantly raised the water content of root tissue affected the shape of the desiccation curves. A continuous release of water was also observed when the meristematic root zone and the zone of longitudinal growth were dried separately.

Decreasing the illumination intensity of winter and semi-winter varieties of wheat to below a certain limit led to an accelerated development of the shoot apex of the main axis, whereas the development of spring varieties was slowed down. In plants whose development was accelerated by decreasing illumination intensity, the dry weight of the overground parts was smaller and the carbohydrate content of the shoot apex of the main axis was greater than in control plants growing under normal conditions of illumination. Plants subjected to long vernalization developed more rapidly and the weight of the overground parts was less than in plants subjected to vernalization for the normal time. The accelerating effect of decreased illumination intensity on plant development is explained by a changed manner of growth which is connected with a greater flow of assimilates to the shoot apex.

One of the criteria employed for evaluating the resistance of plants to drought is their ability to endure the effects of water deficit with no irreversible changes in their tissues. This ability was investigated by means of a method described in this paper. The leaves of some xerophilous grasses (species of the genusStipa, Melica, etc.) were left to dry up under precisely defined experimental conditions so that they reached various degrees of water saturation deficit. Then they were cut up into segments and-mounted in a special frame-were saturated with water. The initial deficit and its compensation were investigated gravimetrically. The resultant values were plotted on a graph. Whereas in some instances the water loss from the leaves during desiccation was linear, the compensation curve exhibited a characteristic breaking point which indicated the degree to which the water loss could be compensated, and when the changes became irreversible. It was found that the studied series of plants of typical continental species have the capacity to supplement their water content ad integrum even in the case of considerable water deficit. Plants living in regions of a more oceanic type do not exhibit this property. It is probable that this property will also be of much value in the explanation of causal phytogeography.

Chromatographic analysis of wheat leaves grown for 4 to 10 days in a solution of gibberellic acid (10-20 p.p.m.) revealed a higher level of fructose-1,6-diphosphate as compared with that of 3-phosphoglyceric acid and phosphoenolpyruvic acid, and of 3-phosphoglyceric acid as compared with that of a hitherto unidentified phosphate. These changes were found under different light regimes which preceded extraction of phosphates from leaves. On the basis of these data and in view of earlier results (Luštinec, Pokorná, Růžička 1962) it is assumed that glycolysis interacts with reactions utilizing its intermediate products for the synthesis of lipids, this representing a possibility of bringing about changes in leaf phosphate levels due to gibberellic acid. In order to verify the postulate the incorporation of 1-¹⁴C- and 6-¹⁴C-glucose into lipids, phospholipids (the magnesium salts of which are insoluble in acetone), carbon dioxide and the non-lipid fraction of leaves was investigated. It appeared that the incorporation of 1-¹⁴C into the lipid fractions of plants grown for 3-7 days in a gibberellic acid solution is markedly lower than that of 6-¹⁴C. The ratio of radioactivities C₆∶C₁ was increased in the lipids by the three-hour treatment of leaves with gibberellic acid (10 and 50 p.p.m.) during their incubation with glucose-¹⁴C. In view of the fact that the amount of substances extractable with ether is the same in the experimental and in the control leaves and that the incorporation of 1-C into lipids is frequently considerably higher in the controls than the incorporation of 6-C the effect of gibberellic acid on the rate of exchange of carbon atoms between the lipids and the products of glucose catabolism should be borne in mind.

Sodium fluoride, iodoacetate and malonate inhibit or stimulate the respiration of wheat roots cultivated for 2-10 days in a solution of sodium humate (100 mg/l.) as compared with the respiration of roots cultivated in water. The influence of sodium fluoride on the respiration of leaves is similar. The ratio of the radioactivities of C¹⁴O₂ from glucose, labelled in the position 1 or 6 (C₆/C₁) is distinctly higher in roots, but not in leaves. The change in this ratio is accompanied by a decrease in the total radioactive C¹⁴O₂ from roots of plants influenced by humate, from glucose labelled specifically and totally.
Endogenous respiration (QO₂) of roots increased in humate by 5-30%, the intensity of leaf respiration remaining at the same level. The longitudinal root growth increased in humate by 20-80%, the growth of leaves by 5-15%. The above statements show that in a humate solution the glycolytic fraction of the respiratory metabolism of roots is increased.

1. A method of "measuring strips" for the investigation of the sap exudation of crops under field conditions is described. The quantity of liquid exuded from the detopped stem stump is determined from the length of a wetted zone of a narrow strip of filter paper protected against evaporation of the liquid by a polyethylene cover bag. The strips with the cover bags can be used even to collect greater amounts of exudated liquid.
2. Using this method, the sap exudation of detopped maize plants was observed during the whole growing season. On typical curves illustrating the course of the wetting of the measuring strips, the temporary absorption of the sap from the cells and conducting elements severed by the cut, the lag in exudation and the actual sap exudation can be distinguished.
3. The length of the lag period indicates the magnitude of the momentary water deficit of the investigated plant and the rate of sap exudation indicates the availability of soil moisture.
4. The rate of sap exudation reached its maximum at the end of June and then decreased gradually. In this period also the distinct lag periods were first observed. The occurence of shorter lag periods between the 5th and 29th July, i.e. in the shooting stage which from the standpoint of precipitation is critical for the height of yield, signifies that the critical stage probably coincides with the period in which the natural disproportion between available soil moisture and transpiration may become important.
5. During the period of long lags towards the end of the growing season, the measuring strips were fastened upon the plant stumps 24 hours after the decapitation. The "exudation after 24 hours" determined in this way indicates a significant decrease at the end of August when the soil moisture dropped to a value approaching the permanent wilting percentage.
6. The results have shown that the method of "measuring strips" permits an easy and sensitive evaluation of the water relations of maize plants growing under field conditions.

When small branches of different plants were dipped after cutting into a solution of humic acid, a brown substance penetrated into vessels and coagulated there. The vascular bundles were stained to the height of 1-6 cm after a week. The presence of the humic acid in the parenchymal cells could not be demonstrated directly, but cells with a yellow or brown cell wall remained alive (they could be plasmolysed).
Humic acid, labelled with C¹⁴ was distributed in the same way in sterile and in non-sterile plant cultures, mainly through vascular bundles.