Table 1.

Effect of manual root bending on LR production without and with root meristem amputation

The 3–5mm tip region of the root of 5-d-old seedlings was bent (130–160^o) using fine forceps in intact roots or after cutting the tip (0.5mm), which stops growth immediately. In intact control seedlings the position of cutting was marked on the backside of the plate. LR numbers in the whole root and the apical 5-mm zone were counted after a further 5 d when all initiated LRPs were transformed into LRs. After bending, LRs were produced on the convex side in 100% of cut und intact roots (52% in unbent roots). Shown are means from 10 independent experiments with 8–10 seedlings for each treatment.

Root region analysed	Number of lateral roots
	Intact	Intact, bent	Cut	Cut, bent
Total above cutting	13.2±0.4	13.4±0.4	15.4±0.7	15.8±1.1
5mm above cutting	3.3±0.1	3.6±0.2	5.1±0.3	5.4±0.2