Behavior of Etiolated Peas (Pisum sativum cv Alaska) When Obstructed by a Mechanical Barrier

Etiolated pea (Pisum sativum cv Alaska) seedlings growing against a horizontal barrier in the soil will assume a horizontal orientation and continue to grow for prolonged periods of time. With removal of the barrier or after seedlings grow out from underneath the obstruction, seedlings immediately return to normal vertical growth. Ethylene production increased several hours after the seedlings began to grow horizontally and not at the first contact with a barrier. Increases in ethylene production from horizontally growing seedlings were associated with decreased rates of elongation and increased stem diameter. The data suggest that increased ethylene production does not play a mediating role in the horizontal growth of pea seedlings when obstructed during emergence. We conclude that seedlings follow a path of least resistance when they grow against a barrier in the soil.