Effects of short chain fatty acids on radicle emergence and root growth in lettuce.

Abstract

Abstract. Short chain fatty acids inhibit both radicle emergence and root growth in lettuce. The transition from ineffectual to inhibitory levels occurs abruptly. Root growth is more sensitive to lower concentrations than radicle emergence and is invariant with chain length. The effect of short chain alcohols on radicle emergence is similar to that of short chain acids, but their comparatively severe inhibition of root growth varies with chain length. Alkanes of the same chain lengths have no noticeable effect. Respiration is not altered by a representative short chain fatty acid (heptanoic). Lettuce seeds are sensitized to phytochrome-absorbed light by short chain fatty acids as found by Berrie and co-workers.