Auxin Concentrations in Nodes and Internodes ofImpatiens sultani

Greater concentrations of auxin at nodes than in internodes,resulting from some nodal barrier to basipetal transport, havelong been postulated as the cause of early differentiation ofinitially isolated xylem and cambium at the nodes. However,this study, using [¹⁴C] indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) applied apicallyand gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, found that in stemsofImpatiens sultanithe IAA concentrations (per unit f. wt) atnodes were similar to those in adjacent internodes, though alittle greater at nodes if expressed per unit length of stemand a little less per unit d. wt. By contrast, in decapitatedshoots and in stem explants of dicotyledons, loss of the apicalsource of basipetally flowing auxin can result in auxin drainagewith some auxin retention in the uppermost remaining nodes.When [¹⁴C]IAA was applied apically to shoots for 4 h and stemexplants were excised, the explants had no nodal accumulationinitially whereas comparable explants incubated for 20 h revealedsignificant nodal accumulation. If decapitation leads both tonodal auxin accumulation and to adventitious abscission justabove the node, this fits the hypothesis that abscission sitesare positioned where auxin concentration decreases locally inthe apical direction. Difficulties in quantifying nodal auxindynamics are discussed, and some crude estimates of metabolicrates and locations of the auxin are presented.Copyright 1999Annals of Botany Company Abscission, auxin,Impatiens sultani, indole-3-acetic acid, node.     

Effects of Applied IAA on the Position of Abscission Sites Induced in Wounded Explants from Impatiens sultani Internodes

Previous work established that if segments of Impatiens sultaniinternodes are explanted and incubated on a suitable medium,they tend to undergo abscission by a transverse separation layerthat differentiates a short distance above the explant base.The present study has shown that the position of the abscissionsite can be modified experimentally. When an explant was splitdown to midlength and auxin (IAA) was applied to the top ofone of the two arms, abscission often occurred at or near thebase of the other arm. Again, when IAA was applied to the explantlaterally midway along its length, abscission often occurredjust above the application point. These two modifications ofabscission sites had been predicted by a hypothesis statingthat separation layers tend to be positioned where auxin concentrationdecreases in the morphologically upward direction. Studies with[¹⁴C]IAA confirmed that the separation layers above the explantbase, and in the two experimentally modified sites, did indeedarise where the concentration decreased upwards. Also, woundingaltered the position of abscission in these explants in waysthat can be interpreted in terms of the above hypothesis coupledwith the destruction of auxin that occurs at wound surfaces.In this system, auxin is acting as a morphogen: its concentrationgradients provide positional information. Impatiens sullani Hook., abscission, auxin, IAA, morphogen, positional control, separation layer, wounding     

Induced Abscission Sites in Internodal Explants of Impatiens sultani: A New System for Studying Positional Control: with an Appendix: A Mathematical Model for Abscission Sites

Intemodes from Impatiens sultani shoots, explanted into sterileculture, often developed a transverse separation layer afterone to two weeks and the top then abscised from the bottom ofthe explant. Such abscission occurred more rapidly and in agreater proportion of explants when 00001 per cent auxin (IAA)was provided basally and when younger intemodes and shorterexplants were used. The distance of the separation layer fromthe base of the explant varied little with explant length, butincreased with the concentration of auxin applied basally. It seems that in this adventitious abscission the processesof positional definition and differentiation proceed withoutpause, whereas in normal abscission the position is definedearly in development but the final stage of differentiationof the separation layer is delayed until much later when theorgan senesces. To account for the results from the internodal explants andfrom surgical operations on shoots as well as for the characteristicposition of abscission sites of leaves and fruits, we suggestthat the position of abscission is controlled primarily by auxinacting as a morphogen: abscission sites occur at Y-junctionsjust above the base of the arm with the lower activity and auxinstatus, or in single axes above a region of higher auxin status.In both sites, the auxin concentration decreases in the apicaldirection. This hypothesis is supported by a mathematical model (see Appendix)of the interaction of diffusive and polar transport in controllingthe concentration gradient along intemodes with specified auxinconcentrations maintained basally. The model allows predictionsconcerning the site and timing of abscission which accord withobservations on intemodal explants. Impatiens sultani Hook., abscission, auxin, differentiation, diffusion coefficient, IAA, morphogen, polar transport coefficient, positional control, separation layer     

The Role of Auxin in the Apical Regulation of Leaf Abscission in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The petiole abscission induced by deblading cotyledonary leavesof cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Delta Pine) was acceleratedby the presence of the intact shoot apex or, in decapitatedplants and explants, by application to the stem (proximal application)of indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) or 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylicacid (ACC). IAA and ACC accelerated the abscission of debladedpetioles whether applied above or below the cotyledonary node.Transport of IAA to the node was not required for the responseto proximal IAA. [2,3-¹⁴C]ACC was readily transported to thenodal region whether applied to the stem above or below thenode. Application of IAA or ACC to the stem did not induce theabscission of intact leaves or of debladed petioles treateddistally with IAA The acceleration of abscission by proximal IAA, but not thatcaused by ACC, was prevented if explants were treated with a-aminooxyaceticacid (AOA), an inhibitor of ACC-synthase. AOA also preventedthe acceleration of abscission caused by the shoot apex. Theprogress of abscission in debladed explants was greatly delayedby silver thiosulphate (STS—an inhibitor of ethylene action),whether or not the explants were treated with IAA or ACC. Itis suggested that the speeding effects of the shoot apex andof proximal auxin on the abscission of debladed petioles requiresauxin-induced ACC synthesis. The possibility is discussed thatACC may function as a mobile abscission promoter Key words: Abscission, ACC, ACC-synthase, cotton (Gossypium), proximal auxin     

Auxin-Promoted Transport of Metabolites in Stems of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: EFFECTS REMOTE FROM THE SITE OF HORMONE APPLICATION

Phloem transport in stems of Phaseolus vulgaris was found tobe sensitive to treatment with the auxin transport inhibitor,2,3,5-triidobenzoic acid (TIBA). The response was dependenton the concentration of TIBA applied. A concentration of TIBA(0?5% in lanolin) which did not interfere with normal phloemtransport proved inhibitory to both basipetal transport of IAAand the acropetal component of IAA-promoted metabolite transport.In contrast, both acropetal IAA transport and basipetal IAA-promotedmetabolite transport were unaffected by TIBA treatment. Theinhibitory effect of TIBA on acropetal IAA-promoted transportwas overcome by providing IAA below the point of TIBA application.Both acropetal and basipetal IAA-promoted transport in stemsegments were unaccompanied by any corresponding changes inthe accumulation of [¹⁴C]sucrose by the segments.     

Transport and Accumulation of IAA-14C in Tumour-forming Nicotiana Hybrids

The polar transport of indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA-2-¹⁴C) instem explants and decapitated shoots of tumour-prone Nicotianahybrids (2n, 3n, and 4n) was compared with that in the normal,non-tumorous parent species N. glauca and N. langsdorffii. Thetotal uptake of the auxin from donor blocks was greatest inthe hybrids and N. glauca. The velocity of the basipetal movementof IAA-¹⁴C was the same in all species tested, i.e. 8 mm/h.The transport capacity for the hormone, however, was decreasedin the three tumour-prone hybrids. Gas chromatography showedthat between 70 and 90 per cent of the transported auxin waspresent in the form of IAA, between 10 and 30 per cent in theform of indol-3yl-aldehyde (IAld). The basipetal transport exceeded the acropetal transport inyoung (third) intemodes of all plants studied, whereas in olderstem segments (tenth intenodes) the reverse was found. The polarity of auxin transport was less well expressed in thetumorous hybrids. Blocking the active transport by pre-treatment of stem cuttingswith 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) caused a drastic reductionin the polar IAA-¹⁴C movement; in all plants tested the auxintransport was reduced to the same low level. The accumulation of auxin at the base of cuttings was higherin N. glauca and the 2n hybrid than in N. langsdorffii, i.e.about seven times higher after 1-h and three times higher after12-h transport experiments. The release of ¹⁴C from the cuttinginto an agar receiver block, however, was markedly reduced inthe 2n hybrid, whereas in N. glauca the labelled substancesmoved more freely into the receiver blocks. Differences in the capacity for the accumulation and the releaseof IAA-¹⁴C in hybrid and N. glauca stem tissues were studiedusing decapitated greenhouse plants wounded by incision abovethe fourth internode. Accumulation of the auxin occurred onlyabove the wound-cut in hybrid plants. This observation is consistentwith the view that tumour formation on hybrid stems occurs atsites of wounding. Our data suggest an elevated auxin levelto be present during tumour initiation at these sites. These results on polar transport and accumulation of IAA-¹⁴Cin tumorous Nicotiana plants together with our previous dataon various endogenous auxins suggest that the induction of neoplasticgrowth in tobacco plants is correlated with increased auxinlevels and an accumulation of the hormone at sites of wounding.     

Auxin transport and the regulation of petiole abscission in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.): A comparison of indol-3yl-acetic acid and phenylacetic acid

Distal applications of indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) to debladed cotyledonary petioles of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seedlings greatly delayed petiole abscission, but similar applications of phenylacetic acid (PAA) slightly accelerated abscission compared with untreated controls. Both compounds prevented abscission for at least 91 h when applied directly to the abscission zone at the base of the petiole. The contrasting effects of distal IAA and PAA on abscission were correlated with their polar transport behaviour-[1-¹⁴C]IAA underwent typical polar (basipetal) transport through isolated 30 mm petiole segments, but only a weak diffusive movement of [1-¹⁴C]PAA occurred.Removal of the shoot tip substantially delayed abscission of subtending debladed cotyledonary petioles. The promotive effect of the shoot tip on petiole abscission could be replaced in decapitated shoots by applications of either IAA or PAA to the cut surface of the stem. Following the application of [1-¹⁴C]IAA or [1-¹⁴C]PAA to the cut surface of decapitated shoots, only IAA was transported basipetally through the stem. Proximal applications of either compound stimulated the acropetal transport of [¹⁴C]sucrose applied to a subtending intact cotyledonary leaf and caused label to accumulate at the shoot tip. However, PAA was considerably less active than IAA in this response.It is concluded that whilst the inhibition of petiole abscission by distal auxin is mediated by effects of auxin in cells of the abscission zone itself, the promotion of abscission by the shoot tip (or by proximal exogenous auxin) is a remote effect which does not require basipetal auxin transport to the abscission zone. Possible mechanisms to explain this indirect effect of proximal auxin on abscission are discussed.     

Auxin-Promoted Transport of Metabolites in Stems of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Auxin Dose-Response Curves and Effects of Inhibitors of Polar Auxin Transport

Transport of ¹⁴C-photosynthate in decapitated stems of Phaseolusvulgaris explants was dependent on the concentration of indole-3-aceticacid (IAA) applied to the cut surfaces of the stem stumps. Thephysiological age of the stem influenced the nature of the transportresponse to IAA with stems that had ceased elongation exhibitinga more pronounced response with a distinct optimum. Increasednutrient status of the explants had little influence on theshape of the IAA dose-response curve but increased, by two ordersof magnitude, the IAA concentration that elicited the optimalresponse. Applications of the inhibitor of polar auxin transport,1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-3-phenylpropane-1, 3-dione (CPD), affectedIAA-promoted transport of ¹⁴C-photosynthates. At sub-optimalIAA concentrations, CPD inhibited transport, whereas at supra-optimalIAA concentrations, ¹⁴C-photosynthate transport was marginallystimulated by CPD. Treatment with CPD resulted in a significantreduction in stem levels of [¹⁴C]IAA below the site of inhibitorapplication, while above this point, levels of [¹⁴C]1AA remainedunaltered. The divergent responses of auxin-promoted transportto CPD treatment are most consistent with a remote action ofIAA on photosynthate transport in the decapitated stems. Key words: Auxin, photosynthate, transport     

Plasmodesmata, Tropisms, and Auxin Transport

Attempts were made to disrupt the plasmodesmata between oatcoleoptile cells (Avena saliva L. cv. Victory) by severe plasmolysis.Coleoptiles, allowed to regain turgor after plasmolysis, wereable to execute geotropic and phototropic curvatures and segmentswould grow in response to applied auxin. In coleoptiles similarlytreated, studies with [¹⁴C]IAA have shown that longitudinal,basipetal transport of auxin still takes place and, as in controls,IAA is preferentially redistributed laterally within coleoptilesorientated horizontally. Physical continuity of the symplast of oat coleoptile cellsmay not always be disrupted by severe plasmolysis. Nevertheless,functional continuity appears to be interrupted. Despite this,all the processes involved in the execution of tropistic curvaturesremain intact, including transport of hormones. Plasmodesmatalcontinuity between oat coleoptile cells appears not to be anecessary requirement for auxin transport.     

The Effect of Morphactin (Methyl 2-Chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate) on Basipetal Transport of Indol-3-ylacetic Acid in Hypocotyl Sections of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The effect of morphactin (methyl 2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate)on basipetal transport of auxin (Indol-3-ylacetic acid-2-¹⁴C)was studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) hypocotyl with thedonor-receiver block method. Morphactin (5 x 10^–6m) reduced IAA (5 x 10^–6m) transportintensity by an average of 83 per cent and auxin transport capacityby 90 per cent, but transport velocity was not affected. Morphactin did not inhibit uptake of IAA into hypocotyl tissue,but it did prevent transfer of IAA from the tissue into receiverblocks. Chromatographic analysis of the tissue after 4 h IAA-2-¹⁴Ctransport showed that 54 per cent of the total activity wasin the form of IAA in the control and 42 per cent in the morphactintreated tissue. No difference was found in the rate of decarboxylationof IAA-1-¹⁴C between control and morphactin treated tissue sections.Nor could any difference between control and morphactin be shownin the radioactivity associated with a TCA ppt fraction. Ina study of the transportable auxin pool, morphactin decreasedthe size of the pool and increased the half-life of decay ofauxin transport from 1•22 h to 3•85 h. In a kineticanalysis of the reversal of morphactin (5 x 10^–6m) inhibitionby increasing concentration of IAA-2-14C (5 x 10^–6m to2 x 10^–5m), it was shown that IAA transport resemblesMichaelis-Menten enzyme reaction kinetics, and that inhibitionby morphactin fitted a ‘mixed type’ model. IAA hada dissociation constant of 8•5 x 10^–6m and morphactinthat of 4•3 x 10^–7m with a K_m for the transport processof 8•5 x 10^–6m.     

A Microautoradiographic Study of Auxin Transport in the Stem of Intact Pea Seedlings (Pisum sativum L.)

Soluble-compound microautoradiography was used to determinethe distribution of radioactivity in transverse sections ofintact dwarf pea stems (Pisum sativum L.) following the applicationof [³H]IAA to the apical bud. Near the transport front labelwas confined to the cambial zone of the axial bundles, includingthe differentiating secondary vascular elements. Fully differentiatedphloem and xylem elements remained unlabelled and no radioactivitywas detected in the leaf or stipule traces. Similar resultswere obtained in experiments with Vicia faba L. plants. Nearerthe labelled apical bud of the pea there was a more generaldistribution of label and evidence was found of free-space transportof radioactive material in the pith. When [³H]IAA was applied to mature foliage leaves the greatestconcentration of label was found in the differentiated phloemelements of the appropriate leaf trace and in the phloem ofthe adjacent axial bundles. Both basipetal and acropetal transportwas detected in this case. These results are consistent with the conclusions drawn fromearlier transport experiments which indicated that in the intactplant the long-distance basipetal transport of auxin from theapical bud takes place in a system which is separated from thephloem transport system and suggests that the vascular cambiumand its immediate derivatives may function as the normal pathwayfor the longdistance movement of auxin in the plant. The physiologicalsignificance of such a transport system for auxin is discussed.     

Auxin-promoted Transport of Metabolites in Stems of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXPERIMENTAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) applied to sterns of Phaseolus vulgarisseedlings, decapitated above primary leaves, enhanced the mobilizationof ¹⁴C-metabolites to the treated stumps and this effect wasapparent within 3–6 h of applying the hormone. More than90 per cent of the total ¹⁴C-activity transported to the stumpswas detected in the alcohol-soluble extracts. In all treatments,less than 5 per cent of the ¹⁴C-photosynthate exported fromthe primary leaves was translocated upwards. Accumulation of¹⁴C-activity was also increased when the IAA was applied laterallyto intact internodes. This effect was obtained when ¹⁴C wassupplied either above or below the point of hormone application.By selective heat girdling, it was shown that the auxin affected¹⁴C transport when either the root ‘sink’ was removedor transpiratory flow of water through the treated internodewas maintained. Decapitated stems treated with plain lanolinfor 3 d were found to retain their responsiveness to auxin interms of enhanced metabolite transport. Heat-girdling experimentsand estimates of ¹⁴C transport velocity suggested that mostof the ¹⁴C movement was restricted to the phloem of treatedstumps. Similar effects of IAA on a transport in excised stemsegments of Phaseolus vulgaris were observed.     

Auxin Transport in Secondary Tissues1

Auxin transport was investigated in excised stem segments ofNicotiana tabacum L. by the agar block technique using [1-¹⁴C]indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA). The ability of the stems to transportauxin basipetally increased as secondary development proceeded;by contrast the ability of the pith to transport auxin declinedwith age. By separation of the stem tissues it was shown thatthe great majority of auxin transport took place in cells associatedwith the internal phloem and in cells close to the cambium;in both cases similar velocities of transport were found (c.5.0 mm h^–1 at 22°C). The effects of osmotic gradientson auxin transport through the internal phloem were investigated.IAA was found by chromatography to account for practically allthe radioactivity in receiver blocks and other extracts of stemsegments. The significance of these results is discussed.     

The Effects of N-1-Naphthylphthalamic Acid and (2-Chloroethyl)-phosphonic Acid on the Gravity-induced Lateral Transport of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

N-1-Naphthylphthalamic acid markedly reduced the polar lateralmovement of 2, 4-D-[1-¹⁴C] induced by gravity in horizontalsegments of Helianthus hypocotyl. The pattern of this inhibitionresembled the inhibition of basipetal polar transport, suggestingthat both polar movements are operated by essentially the samephysiological mechanisms though there are indications of sensitivitydifferences between the two systems. Ethrel pretreatment of segments, though inhibiting the basipetaltransport of 2, 4-D by 33 per cent over the concentration range0.2 to 2.0 per cent, has little significant effect on gravity-inducedlateral polarity of movement, suggesting that ethylene doesnot act directly on the auxin transport system.     

Role of Cytokinin in Vessel Regeneration in Wounded Coleus Internodes

Cytokinin was found to be a controlling or limiting factor invessel regeneration around a wound in internodes of Coleus blumeiBenth. in which the endogenous cytokinin level was minimized.The cytokinin was applied in aqueous solution to the base ofexcised, mature internodes that had an active vascular cambium.Each internode also received IAA in lanolin at its apical end.Under low (0.1 %, w/w) or high (10%, w/w) auxin concentrations,the control internodes (without exogenous cytokinin) exhibitedsmall amounts of vessel regeneration. At appropriate concentrationszeatin, kinetin and 6-benzylamino-purine (BAP) induced a significantincrease in vessel regeneration around the wound. The threecytokinins also induced novel patterns of supplementary regenerationfurther from the wound surface. Kinetin and BAP showed the strongestpromoting effect at 5 and 10 µg ml^–1, while zeatinwas most effective at 20 µg ml^–1. At a low (0.1%) auxin level zeatin was the most effective cytokinin, whereaskinetin was the most effective one at high (1 %) auxin. An inhibitoryeffect on vessel regeneration was observed at the highest kinetinconcentration tested (50 µg ml^–1). The regenerationof vessels induced by cytokinin was very polar. Many more regeneratedvessel members differentiated below the wound than above it,and the regeneration process proceeded acropetally from thebase of the internode to its upper parts. Our results implya basipetal polar increase in cambium responsiveness along thestem axis from internode 5 to 7. The possible significance ofsuch a basipetal increase in cambium sensitivity in wood formationin trees is discussed. Auxin, Coleus blumei, cytokinin, vascular differentiation, vessel regeneration, wound xylem     

Transport of 14C-lableled indoleacetic acid in Vicia root segments

IAA transport in Vicia root segments was investigated for comparisonwith that in intact roots. Lanolin paste (1-mm-wide ring) oragar blocks (3?3?1.5mm), both containing IAA-2-¹⁴C were appliedto the surface or a cut end of the root segments, respectively;transported ¹⁴C was collected in receiver agar blocks placedon the cut end of the segments. When lanolin paste was appliedto 5-mm segments, basipetal transport of IAA predominated overacropetal transport. When agar blocks were applied to 1- and2-mm segments, the same was true; in longer segments (3 and5 mm long), however, basipetal movement occurred predominantlyat first but was surpassed by acropetal movement after 2–3hr. Among the segments tested (regions 2–4, 4–6and 8–10 mm from the tip), the most apical one showedthe distinctest predominancy of basipetal movement. The velocitiesof the acropetal and basipetal movement of the ¹⁴C were estimatedat 3–3.8 and 8–12 mm/hr, respectively. Autoradiographicstudy and the experiment in which wire was inserted longitudinallythrough the central part of the segments showed that basipetalmovement occurred mainly through the outer part of the rootsand acropetal movement mainly through the central cylinder.The present results were compatible with those obtained previouslywith intact roots. Some properties of polar movement, such asits specificity, inhibition by TIBA, and dependency on terneprature are described. (Received March 22, 1978; )     

Ethylene-induced leaf abscission in cotton seedlings : the physiological bases for age-dependent differences in sensitivity

The speed of ethylene-induced leaf abscission in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv LG-102) seedlings is dependent on leaf position (i.e. physiological age). Fumigation of intact seedlings for 18 hours with 10 microliters per liter of ethylene resulted in 40% abscission of the still-expanding third true (3°) leaves but had no effect on the fully expanded first true (1°) leaves. After 42 hours of fumigation with 50 microliters per liter of ethylene, total abscission of the 3° leaves occurred while <50% abscission of the 1° leaves was observed. On a leaf basis, endogenous levels of free IAA in 1° leaves were approximately twice those of 3° leaves. Free IAA levels were reduced equally (approximately 55%) in both leaf types after 18 hours of ethylene (10 microliters per liter) treatment. Ethylene treatment of intact seedlings inhibited the basipetal movement of [¹⁴C]IAA in petiole segments isolated from both leaf types in a dose-dependent manner. The auxin transport inhibitor N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid increased the rate and extent of ethylene-induced leaf abscission at both leaf positions but did not alter the relative pattern of abscission. Abscission-zone explants prepared from 3° leaves abscised faster than 1° leaf explants when exposed to ethylene. Ethyleneinduced abscission of 3° explants was not appreciably inhibited by exogenous IAA while 1° explants exhibited a pronounced and protracted inhibition. The synthetic auxins 2,4-D and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid completely inhibited ethylene-induced abscission of both 1° and 3° explants for 40 hours. It is proposed that the differential abscission response of cotton seedling leaves is primarily a result of the limited abscission-inhibiting effects of IAA in the abscission zone of the younger leaves.     

Auxin and Ethylene-stimulated Adventitious Rooting in Relation to Tissue 9

We have previously shown that both endogenous auxin and ethylenepromote adventitious root formation in the hypocotyls of derootedsunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedlings. Experiments here showedthat promotive effects on rooting of the ethylene precursor,1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) and the ethylene-releasingcompound, ethephon (2-chloro-ethylphosphonic acid), dependedon the existence of cotyledons and apical bud (major sourcesof auxin) or the presence of exogenously applied indole-3-aceticacid (IAA). Ethephon, ACC, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (an inhibitorof ethylene biosynthesis), and silver thiosulphate (STS, aninhibitor of ethylene action), applied for a length of timethat significantly influenced adventitious rooting, showed noinhibitory effect on the basipetal transport of [³H]IAA. Theseregulators also had no effect on the metabolism of [³H]IAA andendogenous IAA levels measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ACC enhanced the rooting response of hypocotyls to exogenousIAA and decreased the inhibition of rooting by IAA transportinhibitor, N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). STS reduced therooting response of hypocotyls to exogenous IAA and increasedthe inhibition of rooting by NPA. Exogenous auxins promotedethylene production in the rooting zone of the hypocotyls. Decapitationof the cuttings or application of NPA to the hypocotyl belowthe cotyledons did not alter ethylene production in the rootingzone, but greatly reduced the number of root primordia. We concludethat auxin is a primary controller of adventitious root formationin sunflower hypocotyls, while the effect of ethylene is mediatedby auxin. Key words: Auxin, ethylene, adventitious rooting, sunflower     

Effect of kinetin on auxin uptake and distribution in normal and tumor-prone Nicotiana shoots

Stem segments of non-tumorous Nicotiana glauca and N. langsdorffiiplants and of their tumor-producing amphidiploid F₁ hybrid weretreated with 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) prior to transporttests with applied labeled indoleacetic acid (IAA-2-¹⁴C). Kinetin-treatmentsincreased the uptake of IAA in non-tumorous shoots; the IAAuptake by N. langsdorffii segments was increased up to 3-fold.The auxin uptake in stem-segments of the tumor-forming hybrid,however, could not be increased significantly by kinetin. Theeven distribution of IAA-¹⁴C in segments of normal and tumorproneNicotiana shoots is stimulated by kinetin. Data are discussedin conjunction with previous results on auxin transport andtumorformation in Nicotiana. (Received August 8, 1972; )     

Effects of Inhibitors of Protein Synthesis on Transmembrane Auxin Transport in Cucurbita pepo L. Hypocotyl Segments

Pretreatment of 2?0 mm segments of etiolated zucchini (Cucurbitapepo L.) hypocotyl with cycloheximide (CH) or 2-(4-methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methylpropionamide(MDMP) eliminated the stimulation by N-1-naphthylphthalamicacid (NPA) of net uptake of [1-¹⁴C]indol-3yl-acetic acid ([1-¹⁴C]IAA),but had relatively little effect on the net uptake of IAA inthe absence of NPA. The efflux of [1-¹⁴C]IAA from preloadedsegments was not substantially affected by inhibitor pretreatmentin the absence of NPA, but CH pretreatment significantly inhibitedthe reduction of efflux caused by NPA. Pretreatment with CHor MDMP did not affect net uptake by segments of the pH probe[2-¹⁴C]5,5-dimethyl-oxazolidine-2,4-dione ([2-¹⁴C]DMO), or thenet uptake of [¹⁴C]-labelled 3-O-methylglucose ([¹⁴C]3-0-MeGlu),suggesting that neither inhibitor affected intracellular pHor the general function of proton symporters in the plasma membrane.Both compounds reduced the incorporation of label from [³⁵S]methionineinto trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-insoluble fractions of zucchinitissue, confirming their inhibitory effect on protein synthesis. The steady-state association of [³H]IAA with microsomal vesiclesprepared from zucchini hypocotyl tissue was enhanced by theinclusion of NPA in the uptake medium. The stimulation by NPAof [³H]IAA association with microsomes was substantially reducedwhen the tissue was pretreated with CH. However, CH pretreatmentdid not affect the level of high affinity NPA binding to themembranes indicating that treatments did not result in lossof NPA receptors. It is suggested that the auxin transport site on the effluxcarrier system and the receptor site for NPA may reside on separateproteins linked by a third, rapidly turned-over, transducingprotein. Key words: Auxin carriers, auxin efflux, Cucurbita pepo, phytotropin receptors