The Physiology of Leaf Growth

Abstract

The physiology of leaf growth has not previously been reviewed in full, but part of the subject was considered in a symposium on The Growth of Leaves (1). Many reviews of growth substances are incidentally concerned with substances that affect leaf growth, and the discovery of gibberellins renewed interest in leaf-growth substances. Our review attempts to cover the present problems of leaf deVelopment, including senescence, and to summarise knowledge of substances concerned in leaf growth. The litera­ ture quoted extends over about 30 years. The importance of leaf growth to the yield of agricultural crops was stressed by Watson (2), who concluded that leaf area was the single most important factor determining dry-matter production. The practical importance of a sound knowledge of leaf de­ velopment needs no emphasis.