Effect of the Auxin Polar Transport Inhibitor on the Morphogenesis of Leaves and Generative Structures during Fasciation in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.

Abstract—An increase in the proliferative activity of a shoot apical meristem (SAM) and the further accumulation of a pool of undifferentiated cells (fasciation) results in phyllotaxis changes. In the case of Arabidopsis thaliana, a typical spiral leaf arrangement is replaced by an opposite or verticillate one (depending on the level of a fasciation manifestation). Pistil development in mutant plants is accompanied by the appearance of a group of undifferentiated meristematic cells in its central part. The addition of N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) causes an increase in the meristem volume and number of stipules in both mutant and control plants. The NPA effect on the floral morphogenesis results in a significant growth of meristemic cell pool. The interaction of different mechanisms of a meristem volume control is discussed.