On the Ordered Development of Plants 1. An Hypothesis

It is hypothesized that each growing-point on a plant requires a minimum flux of assimilate for growth to continue, and that this flux differs for different types of growing point. This simple concept provides cohesive explanation of the observed patterns of plant development during both vegetative and reproductive growth. It also provides a qualitative explanation of the effects of the aerial and rooting environments on shoot and root morphology. Some implications of the hypothesis are discussed.