Further Studies on Biochemical Differences between Sexes in Plants

Abstract

The power of plant extracts (52 Mucor races and 120 green plants) to reduce a N/100 solution of KMnO4 shows a high average difference between the sexes; [female] plants are stronger reducers in about 85% of the tests made. The reaction runs closely parallel to the Manoilov reaction; both depend upon quantitative rather than qualitative differences. One of the most important factors affecting the extracts is the stage of development of the plants. A few quantitative determinations of the carotin content of leaves showed a greater amount in [female] plants.