Mitotic activity in the maize root apex after freeze-decapping

Mitosis and nuclear DNA synthesis have been examined in root apices of maize whose caps were removed by a freezing technique. These processes are not impaired by this technique even though cells at the surface of the decapped apex experience a temperature close to 0°±1.5° C for a brief period. We conclude that freeze-decapping is without significant deleterious effects to the apex and therefore the technique is a useful adjunct in studies of the role of the cap on root growth.