EFFECT OF FERULIC AND P-COUMARIC ACIDS ON ORYZA COLEOPTILE GROWTH AND THE MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF CELL-WALLS

Ferulic or p-coumaric acids applied to Oryza seedlings grown under water decreased the rate of coleoptile elongation and increased the content of these monophenols and lignin in cell walls. Cell wall extensibility represented by an increase in the minimum stress-relaxation time and the relaxation rate decreased in response to the application of these phenolic acids. These facts suggest that the application of ferulic or p-coumaric acids increases the content of cell wall-bound phenolic compounds, which in turn decreases cell wall extensibility, resulting in inhibited cell growth,