Abstract
The axial growth of plant organs changes under genetic and environmental influences, which can be observed as alternations in the spatial profiles of cell proliferation and elongation. We have analyzed temperature effects on root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana, using the kinematic method in combination with a mathematical model that incorporates basic relationships between cell proliferation and volume growth. Our preliminary analysis on root growth of seedlings cultured at 28°C, 22°C, and 16°C showed a remarkable decrease in the rates of volume growth and cell production at 16°C. We have extended a similar analysis to more temperature conditions, and utilized the CYCB1;1::GUS reporter line to evaluate temperature effects on cell proliferation independently of the kinematic data. Based on these results, we discuss the cellular basis of the temperature effects on root growth.
