Distribution of Radioactivity from Exogenously Supplied [1-14C]Indol-3-yl-acetic Acid and [3, 4-3H (N)] Gibberellin A, in Geotropically-stimulated Picea abies (L.) Karst. Roots

The distribution of exogenously-supplied radioactive labelledindol-3-yl-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin A₁ (GA₁) in geotropicallystimulated roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.)has been demonstrated. Seedlings were positioned with theirroot tips in 2.1 x 10^–6 M [¹⁴C]IAA or 1.3 x 10^–8m ³H-GA₁ for 4 and 20 h, respectively. After geotropic stimulationfor 90 min in the horizontal position the root tips were cutlongitudinally in 50 µm thick sections, using a freeze-microtome.The radioactivity in the ¹⁴C-IAA treated roots occurred in higherconcentration in the lower than in the upper halves (ratio 1.25:1). A similar trend was observed in the [³H]GA₁-treated rootswhere the ratio lower: upper halves was 2.04: 1. The ratio ofradioactivity in right and left halves of vertical roots wasapproximately the same in roots supplied with [¹⁴C]IAA and [³H]GA₁(1.09: 1). The supplied radioactive compounds were analysed chromatographicallyafter extraction in methanol of 6 mm apical root segments. Onlya small fraction (7–8 per cent) of the supplied [¹⁴C]IAAwas revealed unchanged in the segments. The major part of thechromatographed, labelled compound has not been identified,but on basis of its R_F value it is suggested that it may beindol-3-acetyl-aspartic acid (IAAasp). The chromatographic analysis of the [³H]GA,-treated segmentsshowed that only small fractions of this gibberellin has beenconverted to other compounds. These results have been discussed and correlated with knowledgeof plant growth regulators and their participation in root geotropism. Picea abies, spruce, geotropism, gibberellin A₁, indol-3-yl-acetic acid, growth regulators, redistribution in roots     

Effects of Auxin and Gibberellin on Conidial Germination and Elongation of Young Hyphae in Gibberella fujikuroi and Penicillium notatum

In Gibberella fujikuroi and Penicillium notatum, IAA, 2,4-Dand GA₃ promoted conidial germination and the elongation ofyoung hyphae. The promotive effects of IAA and GA₃ were additive.In both fungi, the concentrations of endogenous auxin and gibberellinin the culture media were 10^–10 to 610^–12M. (Received April 27, 1985; Accepted August 12, 1985)     

Effects of Auxin and Gibberellin on Elongation of Young Hyphae in Neurospora crassa

IAA, 2,4-D and GA₃ promoted the elongation of young hyphae inNeurospora crassa at the optimum concentrations of 10^–6,10^–6 and 10^–4 M, respectively. The effects of IAAand GA₃ were additive. (Received June 17, 1983; Accepted December 22, 1983)     

Identification and Quantification of Cambial Region Hormones of Eucalyptus globulus

Gibberellins GA₁, GA₄, GA₈, GA₉, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₄₄, GA₈₁,indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were identifiedin cambial region tissues of Eucalyptus globulus by comparingmass spectra and Kovats retention indices with those of authenticstandards. Using stable isotope labelled internal standardsGA₁₉, GA₂₀ and GA₄₄ were quantified at levels of 2–7 ng(g fr wt)^-1, other GAs were present at levels < 1 ng (g frwt)^-1. Levels of IAA and ABA ranged from 417–1, 140 ng(g fr wt)^-1 and 86–305 ng (g fr wt)^-1 respectively. Thepresence of brassinosteroid-like substances was also indicatedbased on activity in the rice seedling leaf inclination assay. (Received April 28, 1995; Accepted June 20, 1995)     

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Grain-filling and Yield of Rice

Effects of three phytohormones (IAA₁, GA₃ and kinetin) on grain-fillingand the pattern of ³²P translocation from individual leavesto grains were studied at intervals of 7 days during the progressof reproductive development of rice (Oryza saliva L. cv. Jaya).The plants were sprayed with 100 µg ml^–1 aqueoussolutions of the hormones at 100 days, when the plants wereentering the reproductive stage. Kinetin produced a pronouncedeffect on grain-filling as well as on ³²P mobilization fromindividual leaf to grains and increased yield, possibly by increasingleaf longevity. GA₃ and IAA also increased the grain-fillingand ³²P mobilization significantly over control but the effectswere less marked than those of kinetin. Oryza sativa L., rice, grain yield, translocation, growth regulators, gibberellic acid, indol-3-yl acetic acid, kinetin     

Phosphate uptake and transport in Agrostis capillaris L Effects of non-toxic levels of aluminium and the significance of P and Al speciation

Investigations on the effects of low levels of Al on P adsorption,uptake and translocation in seedlings of the indigenous grassAgrostis capillaris were undertaken. Apparent uptake and transportof H₂ ³²PO₄ from nutrient solutions containing 10 or 100mmolm^–3 phosphate were characterized as functions of timeand concentration. Experiments on ³²P uptake and transport insolutions containing no Al (control) or Al ranging from 3.7to 185 mmol m^–3 at pH ranging from 4.3 to 4.6, showedthat in 10 mmol m^–3 P, effects of Al at 3.7 and 37 mmolm^–3 on the size of the initial uptake shoulder were small,but some increase in subsequent P uptake to the roots was observed,though transport to the shoots was suppressed. With 37 mmolm^–3 Al in nutrient solution containing 100 mmol m^–3P, the uptake shoulder was much increased above the control.Subsequent root uptake was stimulated but transport was unaffected.Lack of toxicity of the Al concentrations used was indicatedby a lack of significant effect on plant fresh weight. AbsorbedAl was almost totally retained in the root in all treatments.Speciation calculations showed that the major species in Alamended nutrient solution at pH 4.4 were H₂PO₄^–, AI³⁺and AIHPO₄⁺, together with substantial amounts of AISO₄⁺ andsoluble aluminium hydroxy complexes (AIOH²⁺, AI(OH)₂⁺), dependingon the relative concentrations of P and Al. The effects of Al,with 10 mmol m^–3 P, on adsorption of complexed P werepartly accounted for in terms of preferential cell wall adsorptionof Al complexes not containing P. Conclusions were drawn aboutthe P-economy of A. capillaris plants growing on soils withlow levels of P and Al. Key words: Phosphorus, aluminium, speciation, Agrostis capillahs L     

Effects of Deoxygibberellin C (DGC) and 16-Deoxo-DGC on Gibberellin 3{beta}-Hydroxylase and Plant Growth

Deoxygibberellin C (DGC), a C/D ring-rearranged isomer of GA₂₀,was shown to inhibit the conversion of [2,3-³H₂]GA₉ to [2-³H]GA₄by gibberellin 3ß-hydroxylase from immature seedsof Phaseolus vulgahs. Deoxygibberellin C inhibited the promotionof growth by exogenously applied GA₂₀ of rice (Oryza sativaL.) seedlings. Evidence is also presented that DGC is a competitiveinhibitor of the 3ß-hydroxylase from P. vulgaris.However, DGC only weakly inhibited the conversion catalyzedby the 3ß-hydroxylase from Cucurbita maxima at highconcentrations, and it did not inhibit the promotion of growthby exogenously applied GA₉ of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings.These results suggest that the 3ß-hydroxylases fromP. vulgaris and C. maxima have different structural requirementswith respect to their substrates. 16-Deoxo-DGC also inhibitedcatalysis of the same conversion by 3ß-hydroxylasefrom P. vulgaris, and it slightly inhibited the conversion catalyzedby the enzyme from C. maxima. Application of 16-deoxo-DGC causedthe promotion of the growth of seedlings of both rice and cucumber. ³ Present address: Genetic Engineering Center, Korea Instituteof Science and Technology, Daejeon 305–606, Korea ⁴ Present address: Department of Agricultural Chemistry, UtsunomiyaUniversity, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 321 Japan (Received September 25, 1990; Accepted December 17, 1990)     

Effects Produced on Tomato Plants, Lycopersicum esculentum, by Seed or Root Treatment with Gibberellic Acid and Indol-3yl-Acetic Acid

Growth in lengths of tomato stems and leaves was acceleratedby 5.0 µg gibberellic acid (GA₂) applied to the seed,or by 5.0, 0.5, and 0.05 µg given to the roots. Treatmentwith 5.0 µg also decreased bud number and lengthened thetime between bud appearance and fruit formation on the firsttruss by 1–8 days. Smaller amounts applied to roots shortenedthis time by 1–4 days. Indol-3yl-acetic acid at 0.5 µghad no effect, nor was simultaneous application of GA₃ and IAAto the roots more effective than GA₃, alone. Single applicationsof very small amounts of GA₃ to seeds or seedling roots thusproved capable of changing growth-rates of stems, leaves, andtrusses.The effects of treating tomatoes with GA₂ and with culturesof Azotobacter chroococcum, which contain small amounts of GA₃,and IAA, are compared.     

Modifying Effects of Non-toxic Levels of Aluminium on the Uptake and Transport of Phosphate in Ryegrass

Apparent uptake and transport of H₂³²PO₄^– from nutrientsolutions containing 100 mmol m^–3 phosphate were characterizedasfunctions of time, concentration and pH in ryegrass seedlings.On a log/log plot, concentration versus uptake to the root resolvedintotwo linear phases, suggesting a change in uptake mechanism orefflux at the break. These results were compared with thosefor ³²P uptake and transport in solutions containing Al rangingfrom 0–185 mmol m^–3. Al addition depressed pH, butbecauseuptake of P was unaffected by pH below 5–0, noadjustments were attempted. Uptake time-courses revealed clearlythe usualinitial adsorption shoulder in the uptake curve, increasingwith Al concentration up to 37 mmol m^–3. Beyond about2 h, P uptaketo the root became linear, at rates increasingwith external Al concentration up to 37 mmol m^–3. Concentrationsof Al muchabove 100 mmol m^–3 were toxic. Al treatmentsdid not affect P transport to the shoot and absorbed Al wasconfined to the root.The quantities of P and Al taken up intothe root indicated storage in cortex cell vacuoles, lockingup significant amounts of P.Experiments with tillering plantsshowed similar characteristics to those with seedlings. Sequesteringof P with Al within the rootcortex cells was evident, particularlyin plants which had been grown in nutrient containing Al fromsoon after germination. Aland P solution chemistry is discussedin the context of this work and the consequences of effectson P uptake for the economy ofphosphate poor upland soils wereconsidered. Key words: Phosphate, aluminium, adsorption, uptake, Lolium perenne L     

Hormonal Regulation of Hypocotyl Elongation in Lactuca sativa L.: I. EVIDENCE AGAINST THE INVOLVEMENT OF GIBBERELLINS IN THE ELONGATION OF HYPOCOTYL IN SEEDLINGS GROWN IN THE DARK

The kinetics of extension induced by GA₃¹ in the hypocotyl ofintact seedlings of Lactuca sativa are similar in the dark andin the light, and differs fundamentally from the kinetics ofelongation in the dark without GA₃. Both in continuous lightand in the dark, GA₃-induced promotion starts 24 h after incubation.In the dark, even low concentrations of GA₃, which do not affectthe length measured after 6 d when the extension of hypocotylalmost ceases, remove the lag period of 48 h which precedesextension, and prolong the high rate of elongation. FollowingGA₃ supply the hypocotyl length in the dark and in the lightdoes not differ until 48 h; thereafter the rate of elongationin the light is less, so that the final length of the hypocotylis 40 per cent shorter than that of the dark-grown seedlingswithout GA₃. IAA supplied apically to light-grown seedlings induces a weakpromotion at a concentration of 1 mg l^–1 only. With anincreasing concentration of GA₃ supplied simultaneously, theconcentration of IAA inducing a significant promotion decreases.A combined supply of both these regulators, however, does notrestore the light-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl elongationcompletely. The maximum decrease in hypocotyl length induced by the growthretardants AMO-1618, CCC, and B-9 supplied from the beginningin the dark does not exceed 70 per cent. Saturating doses ofGA₃ supplied in combination with any one of the retardants compensateonly a fraction of the decrease. The results have been interpreted to show that native GAs arenot involved in extension growth in the dark.     

Hydraulic and osmotic properties of spruce roots

Hydraulic and osmotic properties of roots of 2-year-old Norwayspruce seedlings (Plcea abiea (L.) Karst) were investigatedusing different techniques (steady flow, pressure probe, andstop flow technique). Root pressures were measured using theroot pressure probe. Compared to roots of herbaceous plantsor deciduous trees, excised root systems of spruce did not developappreciable root pressure (-0.001 to 0.004 MPa or -10 to 40cm of water column). When hydrostatic pressure gradients wereused to drive water flows across the roots, hydraulic conductivities(Lp_r) were determined in two types of experiments: (i) rootpressure relaxations (using the root pressure probe) and (ii)steady flow experiments (pneumatic pressures applied to theroot system or xylem or partial vacuum applied to the xylem).Root Lp_r ranged between 0.2 and 810^–8m s^–1 MPa^–1(on average) depending on the conditions. In steady flow experiments,Lpr depended on the pressure applied (or on the flow acrossthe roots) and equalled (0.190.12) to (1.21.7)10^–8m s^–1 MPa^–1 at pressures between 0.2 and 0.4 MPaand (1.51.3)10^–8 m s^–1 MPa^–1 at appliedpressures between 0.8 and 1.0 MPa. When pressures or vacuumwere applied to the xylem, Lp_r values were similar. The hydraulicconductivity measured during pressure relaxations (transientwater flows) was similar to that obtained at high pressures(and water flows). Although there was a considerable scatterin the data, there was a tendency of the hydraulic conductivityof the roots to decrease with increasing size of the root system.When osmotic gradients were used to drive water flows, Lp_r valuesobtained with the root pressure probe were much smaller thanthose measured in the presence of hydrostatic gradients. Onaverage, a root Lp_r=0.01710^–8 was found for osmotic andLp_r=6.410^–8 m s^–1 MPa^–1 in correspondinghydrostatic experiments, i.e. the two values differed by a factorwhich was as large as 380. The same hydraulic conductivity asthat obtained in osmotic experiments using the pressure probewas obtained by the 'stop flow techniquel. In this technique,the suction created by an osmoticum applied to the root wasbalanced by a vacuum applied to the xylem. Lp_r values of rootsystems did not change significantly when measured for up to5 d. In osmotic experiments with different solutes (Na₂S0₄,K₂S0₄, Ca(NO₃)₂, mannitol), no passive uptake of solutes couldbe detected, i.e. the solute permeability was very low whichwas different from earlier findings on roots of herbs. Reflectioncoefficients of spruce roots (O were low for solutes for whichplant cell membranes exhibit values of virtually unity (     

Auxin-gibberellin relationships in their effects on hypocotyl elongation of light-grown cucumber seedlings VI. Promotive and inhibitory effects of kinetin

The interaction of kinetin with IAA and GA₃ on the elongationof hypocotyl sections of Cucumis sativus L. cv. National Picklingwas studied. Kinetin in the concentration range of 10^–7M to 10^–4 M markedly inhibited IAA-induced elongation,while in a lower range from 10^–10 M to 10^–8 M, itsynergistically enhanced IAA-induced elongation. Kinetin alonein this range had no effect. A 5-to 15-min pulse treatment seemsenough to induce the maximum effect for both inhibition andpromotion. Since the magnitude of the maximum inhibition dependedon the concentration and not on the duration of treatment, thereaction in the cell caused by kinetin seemed to be completedwithin a short period. Washing of the sections with distilledwater after kinetin treatment (30 min) did not significantlyeliminate the kinetin effect. This probably indicates that thebinding of kinetin molecules to a supposed acceptor is not reversible.Interaction of kinetin with GA₃ in their pretreatment effectson IAA-induced elongation shows that in the inhibitory concentrationrange, the kinetin effect was partly overcome by GA₃, and thatin the promotive range, the magnitude of the enhancement wasdetermined by kinetin regardless of the presence of GA₃. Theeffect of kinetin seems to dominate over that of GA₃ indicatingthat the modes of their pretreatment effects differ from oneanother. (Received June 24, 1977; )     

Effect of Salinity on Growth, Nodulation and Nitrogen Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Chickpea cultivar ILC 482 was inoculated with salt-tolerantRhizobium strain Ch191 in solution culture with different saltconcentrations added either immediately with inoculation or5 d later. The inhibitory effect of salinity on nodulation ofchickpea occurred at 40 dS m^–1 (34.2 mol m^–3 NaCl)and nodulation was completely inhibited at 7 dS m^–1 (61.6mol m^–3 NaCl); the plants died at 8 dS m^–1 (71.8mol m^–3 NaCl). Chickpea cultivar ILC 482 inoculated with Rhizobium strain Ch191^spcstrwas grown in two pot experiments and irrigated with saline water.Salinity (NaCl equivalent to 1–4 dS m^–1) significantlydecreased shoot and root dry weight, total nodule number perplant, nodule weight and average nodule weight. The resultsindicate that Rhizobium strain Ch191 forms an infective andeffective symbiosis with chickpea under saline and non-salineconditions; this legume was more salt-sensitive compared tothe rhizobia, the roots were more sensitive than the shoots,and N₂ fixation was more sensitive to salinity than plant growth. Key words: Cicer arietinum, nodulation, N₂ fixation, Rhizobium, salinity     

Abscisic Acid and Apical Dominance in Phaseolus coccineus L. The Role of Tissue Age

Abscisic acid (ABA) applied to the decapitated second internodeof runner bean plants enhanced outgrowth of lateral buds onlywhen internode stumps were no longer elongating. Applied toelongating internodes of slightly younger plants, ABA causesinhibition of bud outgrowth. Together with 10^–4 M indol-3-ylacetic acid (IAA), ABA stimulated internode elongation and interactedadditively in the inhibition of bud outgrowth. A mixture of10^–5 M ABA and 10^–6 M gibberellic acid (GA₃ ) causedsimilar effects on internode growth as IAA + ABA, but was mutuallyantagonistic in effect on growth of the lateral buds. Abscisic acid, apical dominance, gibberellic acid, indol-3yl acetic acid, Phaseolus coccineus, bean     

Root Distribution, Growth, Respiration, and Hydraulic Conductivity for Two Highly Productive Agaves

Cultivated Agave mapisaga and A. salmiana can have an extremelyhigh above-ground dry-weight productivity of 40 Mg ha^–1yr^–1. To help understand the below-ground capabilitiesthat support the high above-ground productivity of these Crassulaceanacid metabolism plants, roots were studied in the laboratoryand in plantations near Mexico City. For approximately 15-year-oldplants, the lateral spread of roots from the plant base averaged1.3 m and the maximal root depth was 0.8 m, both considerablygreater than for desert succulents of the same age. Root andshoot growth occurred all year, although the increase in shootgrowth at the beginning of the wet season preceded the increasein growth of main roots. New lateral roots branching from themain roots were more common at the beginning of the wet season,which favoured water uptake with a minimal biomass investment,whereas growth of new main roots occurred later in the growingseason. The root: shoot dry weight ratio was extremely low,less than 0.07 for 6-year-old plants of both species, and decreasedwith plant age. The elongation rates of main roots and lateralroots were 10 to 17 mm d^–1, higher than for various desertsucculents but similar to elongation rates for roots of highlyproductive C₃ and C₄ agronomic species. The respiration rateof attached main roots was 32 µmol CO₂ evolved kg^–1dry weight s^–1 at 4 weeks of age, that of lateral rootswas about 70% higher, and both rates decreased with root age.Such respiration rates are 4- to 5-fold higher than for Agavedeserti, but similar to rates for C₃ and C₄ agronomic species.The root hydraulic conductivity had a maximal value of 3 x 10^–7ms^–1 MPa^–1 at 4 weeks of age, similar to A. deserti.The radial hydraulic conductivity from the root surface to thexylem decreased and the axial conductivity along the xylem increasedwith root age, again similar to A. deserti. Thus, although rootsof A. mapisaga and A. salmiana had hydraulic properties perunit length similar to those of a desert agave, their highergrowth rates, their higher respiration rates, and the greatersoil volume explored by their roots than for various desertsucculents apparently helped support their high above-groundbiomass productivity Key words: Crassulacean acid metabolism, productivity, root elongation rate, root system, water uptake     

Aluminium and the Hydraulic Conductivity of Quercus rubra L. Root Systems

Two hydroponic experiments were conducted to determine the effectsof brief and prolonged AI³⁺ exposures on the hydraulic conductivity(Lp) of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) root systems. RootLp was determined using the pressure chamber method of Fiscus(1977). In the first experiment, 28- to 40-d-old seedlings weretreated for 4 d with complete nutrient solutions containingone of three Al concentrations (0.04, 1.85 or 3.71 mol m^–3)and either 0 or 50 mmol m^–3 P. Neither Lp nor daily transpirationwas affected by treatment. In Experiment II, seedlings were grown for 48–63 d incomplete solutions containing one of three Al concentrations(0, 0.75 or 2.00 mol m^–3) and either 10 or 250 mmol m^–3Ca. Lp and leaf area to root length ratio (LA/RL) were reducedwhen (AI³⁺/ Ca²⁺), the solution activity ratio, was 2.9 andhigher. Lp and LA/RL were also negatively correlated with Alconcentration and Al/Ca concentration ratio in the roots. Lpwas positively correlated with LA/RL in both experiments. Itis unclear whether Lp in the second experiment was reduced directlyby solution and root chemistry or whether Lp changed in responseto altered leaf/root balance. Key words: Al phytotoxicity, Al x Ca interaction, Quercus rubra, root hydraulic conductivity     

Effectiveness of Lotus Root Nodules: II. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROOT NODULE EFFECTIVENESS AND 'IN VITRO' SENSITIVITY OF FAST-GROWING LOTUS RHIZOBIA TO FLAVOLANS

An extract from the roots of Lotus pedunculatus plants was foundto contain a compound toxic towards fast-growing Lotus rhizobia.This compound was identified as a flavolan, which has a prodeiphinidin:procyanidin ratio of 75:25. A fast-growing strain of Rhizobium(NZP2213) which forms ineffective root nodules on L. pedunculatuswas four times more sensitive to this flavolan (ED₅₀ = 25 ?gml^–1) than another strain (NZP2037, ED₅₀ = 100 ?g ml^–1)which forms effective root nodules on this species. The rootsof another Lotus species, L. tenuis, on which both strains ofRhizobium form effective root nodules, also contained a flavolan( 95% procyanidin) but both strains were relatively insensitiveto this flavolan (EDED₅₀ = 350 to 500 ?g ml^–1) L. pedunculatusplants bearing ineffective root nodules contained two to threetimes more flavolan in their roots (5–7 mg g^–1 fr.wt.)than uninoculated control plants. Experiments with seven otherLotus species and with hybrid plants developed between L. pedunculatusand L. tenuis showed a relationship between the prodeiphinidin:procyanidin ratio of the flavolan in their roots and the effectivenessof root nodules formed on these plants by NZP2213. Quantitativebinding studies of the flavolan from L. pedunculatus to NZP2037and NZP2213 indicated that, while the affinity constants forbinding were similar for both strains, the surface of strainNZP2037 contained four times more binding sites than NZP2213,possibly correlating with this strain's ability to toleratehigher concentrations of this flavolan. It is suggested thatthe differential sensitivity of these two strains of Rhizobiumto flavolans is related to their ability to form effective rootnodules on Lotus species.     

Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Naphthaleneacetic Acid on Petiole Senescence and Subtended Peduncle Growth of Cyclamen persicum Mill

Removal of the blade from the leaf subtending the first flowerbud on Cyclamen persicum ‘Swan Lake’ plants causedthe petiole of that leaf to senesce, but had no effect on thegrowth of the flower peduncle in the debladed petiole's axil.A 10 mg NAA l^–1 application generally had no effect onpetiole senescence, peduncle elongation or flowering date whenapplied to the cut end of the petiole after blade removal. A25 mg GA₃ l^–1 application or a combination of 25 mg GA₃l^–1 application or a combination of 25 mg GA₃ l^–1plus 10 mg NAA l^–1 delayed petiole senescence and enhancedpeduncle elongation and subsequent flowering. No treatment significantlyaltered peduncle length at the time of flowering. Cyclamen persicum Mill, ‘Swan Lake’, tissue receptivity, flowering, GA₃, NAA     

Gibberellins, Amylase, and the Onset of Heterosis in Maize Seedlings

Rood, S. B. and Larsen, K. M. 1988. Gibberellins, amylase, andthe onset of heterosis in maize seedlings.—J. exp. Bot.39: 223–233. The possible involvement of gibberellins and amylase in heterosisof maize seedlings was investigated in two parental inbreds,CM7 and CM49, and their single cross F₁ hybrid, CM7xCM49. Germinationof all three genotypes was complete within 36 h after the onsetof imbibition. By 48 h, heterosis (hybrid vigour) for increasedshoot and root length was consistently observed. The endogenousconcentration of gibberellin A₁ (GA₁) was measured in 48 h seedlingsby gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring(GC-SIM) using [²H₂]-GA₁ as an internal standard. The GA₁ concentrationwas highest in the hybrid (59 ng g^–1 dry wt.), intermediatein CM49 (9.0 ng g^–1), and lowest in CM7 (<5.0 ng g^–1).Amylase activities in all three genotypes were very low at 24h, but increased during the next 24 h, after which time amylaseactivity in the hybrid was significantly higher than that ofeither parental inbred. Inhibitors of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis,AMO-1618 or CCC, inhibited germination, shoot and root growth,and amylase activity in all three genotypes. Conversely, exogenousgibberellic acid (GA₃) increased amylase activity, particularlyin the inbred CM7. Amylase isozymes were separated through polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis and generally similar profiles of starchdegrading enzymes were observed in the three genotypes. SinceGA is known to control a-amylase biosynthesis in some cereals,these results are consistent with the hypothesis that GAs areinvolved in the regulation of heterosis in maize. A higher endogenousGA₁ concentration in the hybrid could result in increased amylaseactivity in the hybrid seedlings and consequently, more rapidstarch hydrolysis which fuels heterosis for early growth. Key words: Amylase, germination, gibberellic acid, Gibberellin A₁, heterosis, hybrid vigour, Zea mays     

Root Hydraulic Conductivity of Two Cactus Species in Relation to Root Age, Temperature, and Soil Water Status

The effects of root age, temperature, and soil water statuson root hydraulic conductivity (L_P) were investigated for twocactus species, Ferocactus acanthodes and Opuntia ficus-indica.The volumetric flux density of water was measured for excisedroot segments, either using negative hydrostatic pressures appliedto the proximal end or using reverse flow of water from theroot to the soil. For both species, L_P at 20 ?C increased withroot age, average values reaching a maximum of 3.9 ? 10^–7m s^–1 MPa^–1 for F. acanthodes and 5.2 ? 10^–7m s^–1 MPa^–1 for O.ficus-indica at 11 to 17 weeksof age; L_P subsequently declined with increasing root age forboth species. L_P was maximal at a temperature of about 10 ?Cfor the youngest roots (1–3 weeks), this optimum shiftingto 40 ?C for 8-week-old roots of both species. For older roots(up to 1.5-years-old), L_P increased with temperature from 0?C to 50 ?C, with a Q₁₀ of 1.3 between 20 ?C and 30 ?C. At asoil water potential (_soil) of –0.016 MPa, root L_P wasindependent of the direction of water flow for both species.Depending on root age, L_P declined 45- to 500-fold for F. acanthodesand 90- to 800-fold for O.ficus-indica as _soil was reduced from–0.016 to –1.06 MPa, consistent with a rectifier-likebehaviour with respect to water movement between soil and roots.Incorporation of such responses into water uptake models shouldlead to a better understanding of root function. Key words: Ferocactus acanthodes, Opuntia ficus-indica, water potential, tension, reverse flow