Effect of zinc and auxin on the formation of adventitious roots and its growth in rice plants [Oryza sativa]

We have shown that the addition of zinc in plant growth medium stimulates the former of auxin induced adventitious roots in rice. In this study, we further examined the mechanisms involved in the roles of zinc and auxin in root induction in the rice plant. It was found out that the application of zinc alone did not influence the number of roots. However, root numbers increased with addition of zinc under the existence of auxin. Since the rooting process consists of two steps, the formation of root primordium and elongation. It was therefore presumed that the formation of root primordium was a result of auxin function and that zinc function promotes root elongation.