Effect of Gibberellic Acid on the Plasticity and Elasticity of Avena Stem Segments

Extensibility characteristics of Avena stem segments treated with gibberellic acid (GA) were investigated in living internodes using a microgrowth method and in partially extracted cell walls subjected to Instron extensometer analysis. Both techniques showed that treatment with GA greatly increases internodal plasticity, but has virtually no effect on internodal elasticity. The increase in plasticity occurred 1 to 2 hours after the initiation of hormone treatment, which is similar to the time of onset of GA-enhanced growth and cell wall synthesis. Cycloheximide was shown to inhibit the effect of GA on plasticity.