Light- and gravity-sensing guidance systems in plants

Abstract

The present state of our knowledge of phototropic and geotropic responses in plant organs is summarized, and an attempt made to identify aspects of these responses that might be studied advantageously in a 0 g environment. The paper aims to provide a background for non-specialists and to initiate critical discussion of the best ways to exploit the facilities provided by the Spacelab project in the study of plant guidance systems.