Gravity is a constant stimulus governing the orientation of plant growth.
In response to changes in the gravity vector, plant stems and roots bend by differential growth. We took advantage of a cold effect on the gravity response pathway to select for mutants of Arabidopsis with altered signal transduction. Physiological and molecular characterization of these mutants is ongoing. Wood is the most important renewable natural resource. Lignin affects the chemical and mechanical properties of many plant products and is one of the major determinants of the commercial quality of wood.