Induction of Xylem Elements in Isolated Coleus pith

Small pith explants from the fifth internode of Coleus blumei were placed on a defined medium supplemented with different concentrations of indoleacetic acid (IAA). With all levels of IAA tissue growth was slight; however, when the medium contained more than 10-7 m IAA, xylem elements developed after 11-14 days. Omission of sucrose from the medium prevented this differentiation of xylem elements. Isolated xylem cells or small nodules were most common, but long strands were also seen. The merits of the Coleus system for study of plant-cell differentiation are discussed.