A simple method for exogenously phytohormone application to the protodermal areas in the base of maize (Zea mays L.) leaf

Abstract Background: The maize leaf epidermis is function as protection against water loss and gas exchange, contacting the environment and avoiding the damage, which is an attractive system for studying the process of cell fate and development. In monocots, leaves epidermis grown from basal meristem, which contains protodermal cells. The leaf protoderm zone was covered by the leaf sheath or coleoptile in maize, the classic exogenously phytohormone application method, such as spraying on leaf surface or adding in the culture media can’t apply the phytohormone to the protoderm areas directly, which restricts the research about phytohormone effect epidermal development.Results: Here we described a simple and direct method for exogenously application of phytohormone to maize leaf protoderm. We use the auxin analogs 2,4-D to test the system, and the asymmetrical division events which initial stomata development were decreased and the subsidiary cells were induced in advance after 2,4-D treatment. This result was the same as other similar studies’ results, indicated that the method is suitable for been used for application phytohormone to the maize leaf protodermal areas.Conclusions: The method, applied hormones on the mesocotyls of the maize seedlings, is simple and direct. Only a small amount of externally applied substances is required to complete this experiment through this method. The entire experiment process just last 10 days generally and it is easy to survey the phytohormone's effect on the epidermis development.