43^ Phytin on the Growth of Seedlings [Mar. 



An attempt was also made to determine whether the phytase 

 present in the plant exerts its influenae upon phytin in the Solution 

 in which the seedling is grown. Twelve seedlings were grown for 

 over twenty days in a beaker containing a large excess of calcium 

 phytate. The Solution was then examined for inosite and any 

 increase in the amount of inorganic phosphates, with negative 

 residts. There was, therefore, no evidence that the phytase acts 

 upon inosite hexaphosphates outside of the organism. A slight 

 increase in acidity was noted, but not determined quantitatively. 

 This phase of the problem will be subjected to further experimenta- 

 tion before any definite conclusion is drawn. 



III. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 



The work of Aso and Yoshida^ shows that the soluble organic 

 phosphorus salts, when added to the soil as a fertilizer, are less 

 effective than the inorganic phosphates combined with the same 

 bases. The work described in the present paper shows plainly that 

 the addition of phytin does not cause any Stimulation of growth 

 that can be attributed to the phytic acid radical. The behavior of 

 phytates as nutrients in Solution is the same as that of inorganic 

 phosphates. Whatever its function may be in the seed during 

 germination and growth, the phytic ion does not exert any marked 

 stimulating influence when added to the Substrate in which lupin 

 seedlings are grown, as in these experiments. 



The author wishes to acknowledge grate fully his indebted- 

 ness to Prof. Gies for this method of research, and for the sugges- 

 tions to which are due whatever merit this paper may contain. 



*Aso and Yoshida: loc. cit 



