Regulation of root growth by gibberellin in Lemna minor

Hormonal control of root growth was studied in Lemna minor. Although addition of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to the culture medium did not promote the root growth, a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, uniconazole P (Un-P), significantly inhibited root growth. Both length and diameter of roots in Un-P-treated plants were significantly smaller than those in control plants, mainly caused by inhibition of cell division. In epidermal cells, the length was slightly decreased and the width increased by Un-P treatment, indicating inhibition of elongation growth. GA₃ completely nullified the inhibition caused by Un-P. Transverse cortical microtubules (CMTs) of epidermal cells in the elongation zone were significantly fragmented by treatment with Un-P, but not by that in the presence of GA₃. The cellulose microfibril array in the Un-P-treated cells was more random and more oblique than that in the control cells. These results suggested that root growth in L. minor is regulated by endogenous gibberellin.