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Title: GLYCINE MAX LEAVES LACK A BASE-TIP GRADIENT IN GROWTH RATE.

Author
item Ainsworth, Elizabeth - Lisa
item ACHIM, WALTER - INSTITUTE PHYTOSPHERE
item SCHURR, ULRICH - INSTITUTE PHYTOSPHERE

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/21/2005
Publication Date: 10/1/2005
Citation: Ainsworth, E.A., Achim, W., Schurr, U. 2005. Glycine max leaves lack a base-tip gradient in growth rate. Journal of Plant Research. 118:343-346.

Interpretive Summary: Leaf expansion in dicots has been characterized by 24-hour rhythms of maximum and minimum growth rates and a strong base-tip gradient,i.e. relative growth rate (RGR) is higher at the leaf base and decreases towards the leaf tip. We measured soybean leaf expansion with time lapse video techniques in order to investigate the fine-scale pattern of growth. This study provides a context in which to identify and understand the environmental and molecular controls of soybean leaf growth and expansion.

Technical Abstract: The paradigm of dicotyledonous leaf expansion describes high relative growth rates at the leaf base, dampening towards the leaf tip. Soybean leaf expansion was measured under different growth conditions with both conventional and time lapse video techniques. In contrast to findings from other species, maximum growth rates occurred at ~2 a.m. and the basipetal growth pattern was absent, suggesting the factors controlling soybean expansion are distinct from other species.