Abstract
Vendrig and Buffel have recently stated1 that trans-caffeic acid “may be a very important natural growth regulator, not less important than indole-3-acetic acid”. This conclusion was based on the identification of caffeic acid as one of the active growth substances in an ether extract of leaves, and on growth tests with commercial caffeic acid on 2-mm. sections of Avena coleop tiles. We believe that the true explanation of these observations is quite different. In what follows, a good crystalline sample of commercial caffeic acid, m.p. 188°–190°, was used.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Vendrig, J. C., and Buffel, K., Nature, 192, 276 (1961).
Thimann, K. V., in Fundamental Aspects of Normal and Malignant Growth, edit. by Nowinski, W. W., 757 (Elsevier Pub. Co., Amsterdam, 1960).
Tomaszewski, M., Abstr. Fifth Intern. Cong. Biochem., Moscow, 15, 94, 1404 (1961).
Tomaszewski, M., Bull. l'Acad. Polon. Sci. Classe II, 7, 127 (1959).
Kenten, R. H., Biochem. J., 59, 119 (1955). Cf. Ray, P. M., Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol., 9, 81 (1958).
Williams, A. H., Chem. and Indust., 120 (1955).
See, for example, Thimann, K. V., Plant Physiol., 33, 311 (1958).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
THIMANN, K., TOMASZEWSKI, M. & PORTER, W. Growth-promoting Activity of Caffeic Acid. Nature 193, 1203 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/1931203a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1931203a0
This article is cited by
-
Interactions oftrans-cinnamic acid, its related phenolic allelochemicals, and abscisic acid in seedling growth and seed germination of lettuce
Journal of Chemical Ecology (1993)
-
Action de quelques composés phénoliques sur la tubérisation de la Pomme de terre
Potato Research (1970)
-
Zusammenfassende �bersichtsberichte �ber Hydroxy-zimts�uren und ihre Bedeutung in Lebensmitteln
Zeitschrift f�r Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung (1967)
-
Gerbstoffe und Wachstum
Planta (1967)
-
Phenols as Plant Growth Regulators
Nature (1965)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.