Ascorbic Acid and the Growth of Plant Embryos

Abstract
Excised pea embryos of 9 vars. were cultivated upon nutrient medium to which varying amounts of crystalline ascorbic acid was added. Growth measurements of the seedling were made for 4 weeks, at the end of which time the ascorbic acid content of the seedling was detd. by chemical analysis. They were then compared as to synthesis of and growth response to ascorbic acid. The vars. showing a large growth response to added ascorbic acid contained little ascorbic acid; vars. showing little growth response showed much more ascorbic acid on analysis.