Effects of gibberellin and colchicine on microfibril arrangement in epidermal cell walls of Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi epicotyls.

Gibberellic-acid (GA3) treatment of azukibean epicotyls resulted in alterations of the direction of newly deposited microfibrils, on the cell walls. Cells having transverse microfibrils on the inner surface of the wall were observed more frequently in GA3-treated epicotyls than in untreated or water-treated ones. This effect of GA3 was negated by simultaneously supplied colchicine. A crossed polylamellate structure was observed in the inner portion of the walls of GA3-treated cells, but not in the inner portion of the walls of colchicine-treated cells. The wall formed under the influence of colchicine consisted of microfibrils running in the same direction.