Autolysis of the cell wall. Its possible role in endogenous and IAA‐induced growth in epicotyls of Cicer arietinum

Indoleacetic acid (IAA), a factor that induces growth in epicotyls of cicer arietinum L. cv. Castellana, increases the autolytic capacity of the cell walls by 50%, suggesting that autolysis is related to the processes of cell wall loosening that accompany growth. IAA promotes an increase in the specific activities of the enzymes involved in autolysis, mainly α‐galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22). This relationship autolysis‐growth. was also observed in a study of the autolytic capacity of cell walls from regions of the epicotyl with different growth capacity. The sugars released and the level of enzymatic protein were higher in the subapical region that towards the base.