Effects On Growth

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30540, 8 September 1964, Page 1

Effects On Growth

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. The identification of the first kinin, or cell-division hormone, may have brought the world to the threshold of technology similar to that which produced the whole array of hormone weed-killer. Development of these followed identification of the first auxin, or cell-expansion hormone, in 1931. With synthetic material now able to be prepared, agronomists can determine the effect of an augmenting natural kinins in growing plants. Attempts can now be made to increase cell numbers in fruit and influence its keeping quality. Those interested in the physiological basis of plant

cell division now have a most active compound available as a specific inducer of cell division.

It is also probable that kinins help integrate the growth of the whole plant. All these possibilities cannot now be Investigated. Although there is little suggestion that plant kinjns affect cell division in microorganisms or in animal cells. It is unlikely that basic mechanisms differ greatly in the different organisms. Chemical analogues of zeatin can undoubtedly be made. They may act differently from the parent compound or may enter plant tissues more readily. On the other hand, they may Inhibit growth.