Root Formation in Pea Cuttings

Cuttings were either decapitated or both decapitated and disbudded at different time intervals. Auxin, at different concentrations, was applied to the cuttings in lanoline. Auxin applied to decapitated and disbudded cuttings promoted root formation in the early stage of the initiation phase. Auxin treated cuttings, which were only decapitated, did not show an increase in number of roots per cutting. However, an increase in the root mass was found in the early stage of the initiation phase. The results seem to indicate that auxin is active only in the first part of the initiation phase. It is acting alone, not together with other substances synthesized in the shoot meristem.