Cytokinin levels during the germination and seedling growth of Cicer arietinum L.: effect of exogenous application of calcium and cytokinins

Abstract In chick-pea seeds, the exogenous application of calcium decreases the content of this ion in the embryonic axes, the decrease being inversely proportional to the calcium concentration applied. Application of cytokonins, in particular that of zeatin, however, increases the levels of endogenous calcium in the axes. The highest levels of calcium are found in the apical segment of the radicle and in the subapical zone of the epicotyl. Unlike calcium, the cytokinins applied increase the levels of the calcium ion in these segments. Such an increase also affects, in the case of zeatin, the apical segment of the epicotyl and the subapical zone of the radicle.