Cell walls isolated from auxin-pretreated maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptile segments were assayed to disclose evidence for the existence of enhanced autolysis. To improve the sensitivity of the measurements and to facilitate kinetic analysis, isolated cell walls were consolidated within a small column, and the autolysis rate was directly determined from the sugar content of the effluent. This protocol revealed that the maximum rate of autohydrolysis of walls prepared from segments occurs within the first 2 hours and a steady decline commences almost immediately. Walls from indoleacetic acid pretreated segments (0.5-4 hours) released sugar at a higher rate initially (110-125% of controls) and the enhanced rate of autolysis continued for 6 to 8 hours, but then it became equivalent to that of the controls. Pretreatment of the segments at acidic pH had no effect on the measurable rates of autolysis. The (1-->3), (1-->4)-beta-d-glucan content of the walls and the extractable glucanase activities support the hypothesis that temporal enhancement of autohydrolysis is a function of auxin on enzyme activity. The progressive decline in autolysis during prolonged incubations is consistent with the decrease in the quantity of the beta-d-glucan in the wall. The relationship between glucan content and autolysis rate is supported by the observation that while glucose pretreatment of segments had only a small effect on initial autolysis rates, the presence of the sugar during pretreatment served to extend the interval over which higher rates of autolysis could be sustained. The results demonstrate that autolysis is related to auxin-induced wall metabolism in maize coleoptiles.