[The mechanism of kinetin action on bud induction in the protonemata of mosses].

The effect of kinetin on bud induction in the protonema of Funaria hygrometrica Sibth. has been studied. 1. Investigations on uptake and distribution of phenylalanine show that the availability of protein-building material is not the limiting factor during kinetin-induced differentiation. 2. Kinetin-induced bud formation in the protonemata is accompanied by decreased chlorophyll content. Changes in chlorophyll metabolism appear only after the simultaneous formation of numerous buds, indicating that this is a secondary effect of kinetin. 3. Under suitable conditions, a promotion of RNA metabolism by kinetin can be demonstrated. Analysis of moss protonemata at various times after germination shows a correlation between RNA content and kinetin-induced differentiation. 4. Under optimal growth conditions, no differences in RNA content could be found even after 48 hours of kinetin treatment.