Exogenous application of IAA alleviates effects of supplemental ultraviolet‐B radiation in the medicinal plant Withania somnifera Dunal

• Supplemental (s)‐UV‐B radiation has adverse effects on the majority of plants. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of exogenous application of the growth hormone indole acetic acid (IAA) on various morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Withania somnifera, an indigenous medicinal plant, subjected to s‐UV‐B.
• The s‐UV‐B‐treated plants received ambient + 3.6 kJm^?2·day^?1 biologically effective UV‐B, and IAA was applied at two doses (200 and 400 ppm) to s‐UV‐B‐exposed plants.
• The plant was forced to compromise its growth, development and photosynthetic patterns to survive under s‐UV‐B by increasing concentrations of secondary metabolites and antioxidants (thiol, proline, ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase) to counteract oxidative stress. Increases in secondary metabolites were evidenced as increased activity of phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes: phenylalanine ammonia lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, 4‐coumarate CoA ligase, chalcone isomerase and dihydroflavonol reductase. Application of different IAA doses reversed the detrimental effects of s‐UV‐B on W. somnifera by improving growth and photosynthesis and reducing concentrations of secondary metabolites and non‐enzymatic antioxidants. Antioxidant enzymes, however, had a synergistic effect on s‐UV‐B treatment and IAA application.
• The effects of s‐UV‐B on W. somnifera are ameliorated to varying degrees upon exogenous IAA application, and synergistic enhancement of antioxidant enzymes under s‐UV‐B+IAA treatment might be responsible for the partial recuperation of growth and plant protein content, as a UV‐B‐exposed plant is forced to allocate most of its photosynthate towards production of enzymes related to antioxidant defence.

     

Auxin-induced changes in the cell wall structure: Changes in the sugar compositions, intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distributions of matrix polysaccharides of the epicotyl cell wall of Vigna angularis

Rapid effects of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the mechanical properties of cell wall, and sugar compositions, intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distribution of cell wall polysaccharides were investigated with excised epicotyl segments of Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi cv. Takara.

• 1 IAA caused cell wall loosening as studied by stress-relaxation analysis within 15 min after the IAA application.
• 2 IAA stimulated the decrease in the content of arabinose and galactose in the hemicellulose 1 h after its application. The amounts of other component sugars in the cell wall polysaccharides remained constant during the IAA-induced segment growth.
• 3 The intrinsic viscocity of the pectin increased as early as 30 min after the IAA application. This effect was not prevented when elongation growth of the segment was osmotically suppressed by 0.15 M mannitol.
• 4 Gel permeation chromatography of the pectin on a Sepharose 4 B column demonstrated that IAA caused increase in the mass-average molecular weight of the pectin. Analysis of the sugar compositions of the pectin eluted from the Sepharose 4 B column indicated that IAA increased the molecular weight of the polysaccharides composed of uronic acid, galactose, rhamnose and arabinose. This effect became apparent within 30 min after the IAA application. Furthermore, IAA increased the molecular weight of the pectin when elongation growth of the epicotyl segments was osmotically suppressed by 0.15 M mannitol.
• 5 Hemicellulose of the cell wall chromatographed on a Sepharose CL-4 B column. Analysis of the neutral sugar compositions and the iodine staining property (specific for xyloglucans) of the polysaccharide solution eluted from the column indicated that the hemicellulose consisted of xyloglucans, arabinogalactans and polysaccharides composed of xylose and/or mannose. IAA caused a decrease in the arabinogalactan content and depolymerization of xyloglucans. These IAA effects became apparent within 30 min after the IAA application. These changes occurred even when elongation growth of the epicotyl segments was osmotically suppressed by 0.15 M mannitol.

Polymerization of the pectin, degradation of arabinogalactans and depolymerization of xyloglucans appear to be involved in the mechanism by which IAA induces cell wall loosening and therefore extension growth of cells.     

Effect of Auxin and Gibberellin on Sporulation in Yeast

Effect of auxin and gibberellic acid on sporulation of a yeast, Saccharomyces ellipsoideus, was studied. When added to the sporulation media, gibberellic acid promoted sporulation. The sporulation rate was higher in the medium SGV with vitamins than in the vitamin-free SG, but the effect of gibberellic acid was more pronounced in the latter. Auxin (IAA, 2,4-D, and NAA) inhibited sporulation in SGV, but promoted it in SG. This sporulation-promoting effect of IAA was reversed by an antiauxin, 2,4,6-T. Preculturing in the presence of added IAA increased sporulation. Added to the preculture medium, gibberellic acid alone showed little effect on sporulation, but in combination with IAA it enhanced sporulation conspicuously. IAA and gibberellic acid were effective in sporulation promotion only when added before the nuclear enlargement occurred in sporulation culture.     

Indoleacetic Acid-Induced Decrease of the Ribomiclease Activity in vivo

A study has been made on the influence of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on the ribonuclease (RNase) activity in wheat coleoptile sections and green pea stem sections. The hormonal effects on the enzyme activity, ribonncleic acid (RNA) metabolism and growth have been compared. Addition of 10^?5M IAA to the plant sections causes their RNase activity to decrease and their elongation to increase. Removal of the added IAA results in increasing enzyme activity and decreasing growth. The altered enzyme activities are paralleled by opposite changes in the RNA net synthesis. Administration of crystalline RNase to the plant tissue depresses growth. There is thus evidence that the in vivo effect of IAA on the RNase activity is of importance for the hormonal regulation of RNA metabolism and growth. The IAA-induced reduction in the enzyme activity involves cellular metabolism. The effect can be suspended by means of p-chloromercuribenzoate. A possible mechanism for the reduction is discussed.     

The role of GA,IAA and BAP in the regulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> shoot growth and microtuberization in potato

The effect of auxin, GA and BAP on potato shoot growth and tuberization was investigated under in vitro condition. The shoot length of potato explants increased with the increasing of concentrations (0.5 – 10 mg dm⁻³) of IAA treatment especially with the addition of GA₃ (0.5 mg dm⁻³), but was inhibited by BAP (5 mg dm⁻³). The root number and root fresh weight of potato explants increased with the increasing of IAA levels either in the presence of GA₃ (treatment IAA+GA) or not (IAA alone). However, no root was observed in the treatment IAA+BAP, instead there were brown swollen calli formed around the basal cut surface of the explants. The addition of GA₃ remarkably increased the fresh weight and diameter of calli. Microtubers were formed in the treatments of IAA+BAP and IAA + GA + BAP but not observed in the treatments of IAA alone or IAA + GA. IAA of higher concentrations (2.5 – 10 mg dm⁻³) was helpful to form sessile tubers. With the increasing of IAA levels, the fresh weight and diameter of microtubers increased progressively. At 10 mg/L IAA, the fresh weight and diameter of microtubers in the treatment of IAA + GA + BAP were 409.6 % and 184.4 % of that in the treatment of IAA + BAP respectively, indicating the interaction effect of GA and IAA in potato microtuberization.     

Initial phases of indoleacetic acid induced growth in coleoptile segments of Avena sativa L.

The intial phases of auxin-induced growth in coleoptile segments of Avena sativa L. were investigated using a high resolution growth recording technique, based on an angular position sensing transducer. The first response to the hormone is a slight, transient reduction of the growth rate lasting about 5 min. After this phase growth rate increases to a maximum. The duration of the increase and the maximum clearly depend on the concentration of the hormone. With increasing auxin concentration the duration of the growth rate increase is reduced from about 80 min in 10^-9 M indoleacetic acid (IAA) to about 14 min in 10^-4 M IAA. After the maximum the growth rate declines. Looking at the maximum of the growth rate, we obtained a dose-response curve with a sharp increase between 10^-9 M and 10^-6 M IAA and a slight decline between 10^-6 M and 10^-4 M IAA. This result is confirmed by growth rates measured one and two hours after the application of the hormone.Abbreviations IAA indoleacetic acid     

Interaction of Kinetin and Indoleacetic Acid in the Avena Straight-Growth Test

Kinetin has a stimulating effect in the Avena straight-growth test. The action of different concentrations of kinetin, 2.5 × 10^?7, 2.5 × 10^?6 and 2.5 × 10^?5M, in combination with different concentrations of IAA was studied in this test. It was shown that the effect of low IAA concentrations, 0.25 × 10^?7 and 1 × 10^?7M, was strongly enhanced by the addition of all the kinetin concentrations investigated. The effect of the highest IAA concentrations, 25 × 10^?7 and 100 × 10^?7M, on the other hand, was inhibited relatively strongly by the highest employed concentration of kinetin. The results are explained as due to a kinetin-produced increase of auxin in the coleoptile segment, which in combination with low IAA concentrations can lead to a growth stimulation and with high IAA concentrations to a growth inhibition. Since kinetin in purification and chromatography of auxin can partly follow IAA, thereby affecting the quantitative yield, it is emphasized that, prior to the test, auxin extracts containing cytokinins should be freed from the latter by, for example, gel filtration or paper electrophoresis.     

Responses of the weed Bidens pilosa L. to exogenous application of the steroidal saponin protodioscin and plant growth regulators 24‐epibrassinolide,indol‐3‐acetic acid and abscisic acid

• The exogenous application of plant hormones and their analogues has been exploited to improve crop performance in the field. Protodioscin is a saponin whose steroidal moiety has some similarities to plant steroidal hormones, brassinosteroids. To test the possibility that protodioscin acts as an agonist or antagonist of brassinosteroids or other plant growth regulators, we compared responses of the weed species Bidens pilosa L. to treatment with protodioscin, brassinosteroids, auxins (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA).
• Seeds were germinated and grown in agar containing protodioscin, dioscin, brassinolides, IAA and ABA. Root apex respiratory activity was measured with an oxygen electrode. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes activities were assessed.
• Protodioscin at 48–240 μm inhibited growth of B. pilosa seedlings. The steroidal hormone 24‐epibrassinolide (0.1–5 μm ) also inhibited growth of primary roots, but brassicasterol was inactive. IAA at higher concentrations (0.5–10.0 μm ) strongly inhibited primary root length and fresh weight of stems. ABA inhibited all parameters of seedling growth and also seed germination. Respiratory activity of primary roots (KCN‐sensitive and KCN‐insensitive) was activated by protodioscin. IAA and ABA reduced KCN‐insensitive respiration. The content of MDA in primary roots increased only after protodioscin treatment. All assayed compounds increased APx and POD activity, with 24‐epibrassinolide being most active. The activity of CAT was stimulated by protodioscin and 24‐epibrassinolide.
• The results revealed that protodioscin was toxic to B. pilosa through a mechanism not related to plant growth regulator signalling. Protodioscin caused a disturbance in mitochondrial respiratory activity, which could be related to overproduction of ROS and consequent cell membrane damage.

     

Activity of Various Growth Substances in the Avena First Internode Test

The elongation growth of the Avena first internode segments was studied in the presence of one or several of the following growth substances: indoleacetic acid (IAA), 6-fur-furylamino purine (FAP, kinetin), 6-benzylamino purine (BAP), gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) and A₄₊₇ (GA₄₊₇), and abscisic acid (ABA). The cytokinins at concentrations of 10^?7 to 10^?6M stimulated growth with 4 to 6 per cent but this effect was not statistically significant. Concentrations higher than 5 × 10^?6M inhibited growth. FAP and BAP (from 10^?8M to 10^?6M) had no significant interaction with any other growth substance used. The two-factor interactions of IAA × ABA, IAA × GA₃, and GA₃× ABA, as well as the three-factor interaction IAA × ABA × GA₃ were significant. However, the IAA × ABA interaction was significant only when high concentration (10^?6M) of ABA was used. The growth inhibition produced by 10^?7 and 10^?6M ABA was overcome by about equimolar concentrations of IAA. The stimulation of growth by GA₃ and GA₄₊₇ (10^?9 to 10^?7M) was prevented by simultaneous application of ABA, and it was reduced significantly by application of IAA (10^?7 to 10^?8M). GA3 at 10^?8M combined with different concentrations of IAA gave slightly higher elongation than IAA alone but the observed values were significantly lower than expected assuming independent additive action.     

The Interaction of Human Serum with the Plant Hormone Indole-3-Acetic Acid

It is well known that human serum inhibits the longitudinal root growth in Lupinus albus L and Triticum sativum Lam. This inhibitory effect has been ascribed to the IAA content in human serum, which unfortunately has never been measured quantitatively. Experiments are presented in which Triticum roots are grown in media with pooled human serum and varying concentrations of IAA. In the presence of 10^?5M p-chlorophenoxy-isobutyric acid (PCIB) and serum, minute IAA additions promoted the growth. This feature hardly could be expected were the serum inhibition in itself an IAA effect. In view of this finding, renewed but unsuccessful attempts were made to demonstrate a similar promotion in media without serum. To explain the observed response curves, it must be further assumed that serum components bind IAA reversibly. In experiments without PCIB in the medium the response curves were similar at a lower level of growth, except that no growth promotion by IAA was discernible. It is concluded, that the inhibiting effect of human serum on the growth of plant roots is not due to free IAA, although IAA in all probability occurs in that fluid.     

Effect of IAA and 4-Cl-IAA on growth rate in maize coleoptile segments

The dose-response curves for IAA and 4-Cl-IAA-induced growth of Zea mays L. coleoptile segments were studied as a function of time. Moreover, some characteristic growth parameters for both auxins were compared. The dose-response curve of growth rate measured after IAA or 4-Cl-IAA application was bell-shaped in all experiments. The optimum concentration was 10⁻⁶ M for 4-Cl-IAA and was found not to depend on the time of the growth measurement. However, in the case of IAA the optimum shifted from 10⁻⁶ M at the time of maximal growth rate to 10⁻⁵ M or even 10⁻⁴ M, when growth measured 3–4 hours after auxin application was analysed. The relative activity of 4-Cl-IAA-induced growth rate (as compared to IAA) increased significantly with increasing time from addition of this auxin to the medium. For both auxins the time needed to reach the maximal growth rate was clearly related to their concentrations. These data provided further evidence that 4-Cl-IAA is much more active auxin than IAA and can also suggest that IAA is more rapidly metabolized in comparison to 4-Cl-IAA.     

Identification and quantification of indole-3-acetic acid in the kelp Laminaria japonica Areschoug and its effect on growth of marine microalgae

A method was established for the identification and quantification of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in extracts of the kelp Laminaria japonica. An IAA content of 90–95 μg kg⁻¹ fresh weight in kelp extract was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). IAA identification was based on a combination of co-chromatography and comparative chromatography with a standard, analysis of UV spectra, and atmospheric pressure electrospray mass spectrometry (APESI-MS). IAA was isolated by silica gel chromatography and HPLC. The effect on the growth of four marine microalgae of the pure IAA isolated from kelp extract was investigated. Exogenously added IAA from kelp enhanced the growth of Chlorella sp., Dunaliella salina and Porphyridium cruentum, but not that of Chaetoceros muelleri. IAA from kelp significantly inhibited the accumulation of soluble cellular proteins in Chlorella sp. and P. cruentum, and had a very significant effect on chlorophyll biosynthesis in Chlorella sp. However, there was no obvious effect of IAA on the regulation of biosynthesis of cellular polysaccharides in these four marine microalgae.     

Beziehungen zwischen katabolischer Repression und Sporulation bei Bacillus subtilis

Acetoin dehydrogenase can be catabolite repressed by numerous sources of carbon. The following results point out that the catabolite repression of this enzyme and the inhibition of sporulation are mediated by the same mechanism:

1. Mutants, able to synthesize acetoin dehydrogenase in the presence of glucose, sporulate in glucose medium at a higher rate than the standard strain.
2. The catabolite repressing effect of a compound and its ability to inhibit sporulation are in a direct relation to each other.
3. The limitation of inorganic phosphate in the growth medium, which is known to favour sporulation, counteracts the catabolite repressing effect of glucose.

     

Growth rates of phytoplankton under fluctuating light

• 1 The effect of light fluctuations on the growth rates of four species of freshwater phytoplankton was investigated. Experimental light regimes included constant irradiance and fluctuations of a step function form, with equal proportion of high (maximum of 240 µmol photons m^‐2 s^‐1) and low light (minimum of 5 µmol photons m^‐2 s^‐1) (or dark) in a period. Fluctuations of 1, 8 and 24‐h periods were imposed over several average irradiances (25, 50, 100 and 120 µmol photons m^‐2 s^‐1).
• 2 Growth rate responses to fluctuations were species‐specific and depended on both the average irradiance and the period of fluctuations. Fluctuations at low average irradiances slightly increased growth rate of the diatom Nitzschia sp. and depressed growth of the cyanobacterium Phormidium luridum and the green alga Sphaerocystis schroeteri compared to a constant irradiance.
• 3 Fluctuations at higher average irradiance did not have a significant effect on the growth rates of Nitzschia sp. and Sphaerocystis schroeteri (fluctuations around saturating irradiances) and slightly increased the growth rates of the cyanobacteria Anabaena flos‐aquae and Phormidium luridum (when irradiance fluctuated between limiting and inhibiting levels).
• 4 In general, the effect of fluctuations tended to be greater when irradiance fluctuated between limiting and saturating or inhibiting levels of a species growth‐irradiance curve compared to fluctuations within a single region of the curve.
• 5 The growth rates of species under fluctuating light could not always be predicted from their growth‐irradiance curves obtained under constant irradiance. When fluctuations occur between limiting and saturating or inhibiting irradiances for the alga and when the period of fluctuations is long (greater than 8 h), steady‐state growth‐irradiance curves may be insufficient to predict growth rates adequately. Consequently, additional data on physiological acclimation, such as changes in photosynthetic parameters, may be required for predictions under non‐constant light supply in comparison to constant conditions.

     

Interaction between exogenous brassinolide, IAA and BAP in secondary metabolism of cultured Onosma paniculatum cells

Brassinolide (BL) together with IAA (indoleacetic acid) and BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) have been reported to enhance shikonin formation in cultured Onosma paniculatum cells . In this paper, we show that BL interacted significantly with both IAA and BAP to influence cell growth. In a BL/IAA interaction experiment, the optimal BL concentration for cell growth increased with IAA concentration. Thus, with IAA concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/L in the growth medium, the optimal BL concentrations for cell growth were 10, 10³, 10⁵, and 10⁷pg/L, respectively. In a BL/BAP interaction experiment, cell growth decreased with increasing concentration of BL at any given concentration of BAP. The optimal concentrations of BL and IAA for cell growth were 10 pg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively, among all BL/IAA combinations, and concentrations of 10 pg/L and 0.5 mg/L for BL and BAP were optimal among all BL/BAP combinations. Shikonin formation was affected significantly by both BL/IAA and BL/BAP combinations. Shikonin content was enhanced by increasing BL concentrations with IAA concentrations in the range of 0.05–10 mg/L and with BAP concentrations in the range of 0.5–5 mg/L in BL/IAA and BL/BAP experiments, respectively. The optimal combination of BL and IAA for enhanced shikonin formation was 10⁷pg/L and 0.05 mg/L, and BL and BAP concentrations of 10⁵pg/L and 0.5 mg/L optimal for shikonin formation. These results indicate that BL-stimulated cell growth occurs at lower concentration (10 pg/L) and enhanced shikonin formation at higher concentration (10⁵–10⁷pg/L), in combination with IAA or BAP at appropriate concentrations. Furthermore, BL increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid -geranyltransferase (PHB-geranyltransferase) activities, but decreased the activity of PHB–O–glucosyltransferase. These results suggest that enhanced shikonin formation induced by BL involves regulation of these key enzyme activities.     

Role of ethylene and related gene expression in the interaction between strawberry plants and the plant growth‐promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense

• Induced systemic resistance (ISR) is one of the indirect mechanisms of growth promotion exerted by plant growth‐promoting bacteria, and can be mediated by ethylene (ET). We assessed ET production and the expression of related genes in the Azospirillum–strawberry plant interaction.
• Ethylene production was evaluated by gas chromatography in plants inoculated or not with A. brasilense REC3. Also, plants were treated with AgNO₃, an inhibitor of ET biosynthesis; with 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), a precursor of ET biosynthesis; and with indole acetic acid (IAA). Plant dry biomass and the growth index were determined to assess the growth‐promoting effect of A. brasilense REC3 in strawberry plants. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT‐PCR) was performed to analyse relative expression of the genes Faetr1, Faers1 and Faein4, which encode ET receptors; Factr1 and Faein2, involved in the ET signalling pathway; Faacs1 encoding ACC synthase; Faaco1 encoding ACC oxidase; and Faaux1 and Faami1 for IAA synthesis enzymes.
• Results showed that ET acts as a rapid and transient signal in the first 12 h post‐treatment. A. brasilense REC3‐inoculated plants had a significantly higher growth index compared to control plants. Modulation of the genes Faetr1, Faers1, Faein4, Factr1, Faein2 and Faaco1 indicated activation of ET synthesis and signalling pathways. The up‐regulation of Faaux1 and Faami1 involved in IAA synthesis suggested that inoculation with A. brasilense REC3 induces production of this auxin, modulating ET signalling.
• Ethylene production and up‐regulation of genes associated with ET signalling in strawberry plants inoculated with A. brasilense REC3 support the priming activation characteristic of ISR. This type of resistance and the activation of systemic acquired resistance previously observed in this interaction indicate that both are present in strawberry plants, could act synergistically and increase protection against pathogens.

     

Die Beurteilung des Einflusses qualitativer Prüffaktoren (Infektionstermine,Sorten) auf den Befall mit Hilfe der Kontingenztafelanalyse

Mycelial growth of some wood‐rotting fungi was studied on a solid modified medium MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) with indole‐3‐acetic acid at concentrations of 10^‐6 to 10^‐3 M. The IAA concentrations of 10^‐6 M and 10^‐5 M inhibited mycelial growth of the fungus Phaeolus schweinitzii, Laetiporus sulphureus and Pleurotus ostreatus while the same concentrations stimulated mycelial growth of the fungus Stereum rugosum. The IAA concentrations of 10^‐6 M stimulated mycelial growth in Piptoporus betulinus and temporarily stimulated mycelial growth in Heterobasidion annosum. The IAA concentration of 10^‐4 M appeared critical for wood‐rotting fungi. The IAA concentration of 10^‐3 M inhibited mycelial growth in all the fungi under study.     

Vegetative growth and sporulation ofBipolaris sorokiniana on sequentially older infected leaves ofPoa pratensis exposed to postemergence herbicides

Poa pratensis was exposed to the postemergence herbicides 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba at concentrations of 10^–6 M applied to the soil surface. Sequentially older leaf blades were inoculated withBipolaris sorokiniana and detached to determine the effect of the herbicides on saprophytic hyphal growth and sporulation on the tissue of each older leaf. 2,4-D and dicamba stimulated hyphal growth in vitro from leaf tissue of all ages; MCPP had no effect on hyphal growth. All herbicides increased sporulation byB. sorokiniana on leaf tissue of all ages. Both hyphal growth and sporulation increased progressively on tissue from sequentially older leaves ofP. pratensis exposed to dicamba.Journal Paper No. J-14985 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa, USA, Project No. 2616.     

Fluoranthene influences endogenous abscisic acid level and primary photosynthetic processes in pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> L.) plants in vitro

The influence of increasing concentrations (0.1, 1.0 and 5.0 mg l⁻¹) of fluoranthene (FLT) on growth, endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) level and primary photosynthetic processes in 21-day-old pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) in vitro was investigated. Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium, with or without FLT, was enriched with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 0.1 mg l⁻¹) or a combination of IAA (0.1 mg l⁻¹) plus N⁶-benzyladenine (BA; 0.1 mg l⁻¹). The level of endogenous ABA significantly increased with increasing FLT concentrations in the presence of both IAA and IAA plus BA. An increased level of endogenous ABA was observed in plants treated with IAA alone. The growth of shoot, callus and the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids), in both IAA- and IAA plus BA-treated plants, were significantly stimulated by FLT at its lowest concentration (0.1 mg l⁻¹) assayed in this study. However, FLT at higher concentrations (1.0 and 5.0 mg l⁻¹) significantly inhibited all these parameters. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging showed that FLT only at the highest concentration (5.0 mg l⁻¹) in the presence of IAA (0.1 mg l⁻¹) significantly increased F₀, but decreased F_V/F_M and Φ_II.     

Inhibition of Lettuce Seed Germination and Root Elongation by Derivatives of Auxin and Reversal by Derivatives of Cycocel

Lettuce seed germination or lettuce root elongation after germination in water was inhibited by 5.7 × 10^-6M indoleacetic acid (IAA) and designated other IAA derivatives. These IAA-inhibited growth responses were reversed by 10^-5 to 10^-6M Cycocel, (2-chloroethyl) trimethylammonium chloride, which alone was without effect. Only those Cycocel analogs, which have previously been shown to be active as plant growth retardants, were effective in reversing IAA inhibition of germination or root elongation. These results are consistent with the concept that Cycocel at low concentrations acts as an auxin antagonist. However. Cycocel did not reverse the inhibitory effects from indole-3-propionic acid or indole-3-butyric acid.