Levels of free and conjugated indole-3-acetic acid in ethylene-treated leaves and callus of olive

Changes in levels of free and conjugated indole-acetic acid (IAA) resulting from ethylene treatment were examined in leaves and callus of olive ( Olea europea var. Manzanillo) by electron capture gas chromotography and by isotope dilution analysis. In both olive leaves and olive tissue cultures, the level of free IAA did not change much after the exposure to ethylene, but the levels of bound IAA increased almost three times in comparison with untreated controls. This is the first report of changes in endogenous, bound auxin accompanying ethylene treatment.