The effectiveness of the inhibitor, canavanine, was evaluated by examining its action in Canavalia ensiformis and Glycine max. Isolated roots were grown in culture tubes containing White's medium plus canavanine or arginine. A differential effect of canavanine on the incorporation of precursors of DNA, RNA, and protein was found, which is assumed to be related to the ability of the plant to utilize canavanine in reactions typically involving arginine. Canavanine was not found to affect DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis in Canavalia ensiformis, a plant in which this amino acid is synthesized naturally. In the canavanine sensitive species, Glycine max, of the same subfamily Papilionoideae, canavanine was observed to inhibit strongly DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. A primary inhibition of the RNA synthesizing system is suggested. The data indicate the canavanine inhibitions are more complex than a simple competition with arginine in protein synthesis.

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