Induced parthenocarpy-a way of manipulating levels of endogenous hormones in tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) 2. Diffusible hormones

Indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin-like substances (GAs), and abscisic acid (ABA) were measured throughout the first 35 days of fruit development in agar diffusates from seeded and parthenocarpic tomato fruits. Parthenocarpic fruit growth was induced with either an auxin (4-CPA), morphactin (CME) or gibberellic acid (GA₃). IAA and GAs were at their highest levels in diffusates during the early stages of fruit growth, whereas diffusible ABA increased later. Most IAA was found in diffusates from auxin-induced and seeded fruits, whereas GAs were at their lowest levels in seeded fruits. There were only minor differences in ABA concentrations regardlesss of the treatments.Levels of diffusible hormones of tomato fruits may be easily manipulated by inducing parthenocarpic fruit growth. In spite of no obvious relationship between fruit growth and hormone levels in this study, induced parthenocarpy is considered a useful tool to further elucidate the role of hormones in fruit development and sink-source interactions.     

Endogenous gibberellin and abscisic Acid content as related to senescence of detached lettuce leaves

Levels of gibberillins (GAs) and of abscisic acid (ABA) in attached leaves of romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) declined as the leaf became older. The time course of changes in hormone levels, determined in detached lettuce leaves kept in darkness, revealed that a sharp decline in GAs accompanied by a moderate rise in ABA occurred before the onset of chlorophyll degradation. As senescence advanced, no GAs could be detected and a considerable rise of ABA was observed. A similar sequence of hormonal modifications, but more pronounced, was observed in the course of accelerated senescence induced by either Ethephon or water stress. When kinetin or GA₃ was applied to detached leaves, the loss of chlorophyll and the rise in ABA were reduced. Bound GAs were detected in senescent leaves. They were not found in the kinetin-treated leaves, which contained a relatively high level of free GAs. The results suggest that senescence in detached romaine lettuce leaves is connected with a depletion of free GAs and cytokinins, which is thereafter followed by a great surge in ABA.     

Fluctuation in levels of endogenous plant hormones in ovules of normal and mutant cotton during flowering and their relation to fiber development

The contents of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins (GAs), abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinins were determined in ovules of normal cotton (Tm-1) and a kind of fiber differentiation mutant (Xin) before and after flowering by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. It was found that 24 h before flowering, a peak of IAA content was observed in ovules of Tm-1, whereas in ovules of Xin, a low level of IAA was determined. From –1 day (1 day before flowering) to +3 days (3 days after flowering), GA₁₊₃ levels in ovules of Xin were 40–70% lower than those of Tm-1; GA₄₊₇ levels were very low, and there was no visible difference in GA₄₊₇ content between normal and mutant cotton. The ABA content in ovule of Tm-1 decreased by 70% 3 days after flowering, whereas that of Xin only decreased by 20%. The levels of cytokinins in ovules of Tm-1 decreased after flowering, and those of Xin kept up a steady increase.Abbreviations IAA indole-3-acetic acid - GA gibberellin - ABA abscisic acid - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - FW fresh weight - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - iPA isopentenyladenosine - ZR zeatin riboside - DHZR dihydrozeatin riboside - CTK cytokinin     

Hormonal changes associated with fruit set and development in mandarins differing in their parthenocarpic ability

Satsuma [Citrus unshiu (Mak) Marc.] and Clementine [Citrus reticulata (Hort.) Ex. Tanaka, cv. Oroval] are two related species of seedless mandarins which differ in their tendency to set parthenocarpic fruits. Satsuma fruits naturally set parthenocarpically whereas Clementine mandarins show very low ability to set fruit in the absence of cross-pollination. The endogenous levels of gibberellins (GAs) and free and conjugated indole-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) throughout early stages of fruit development were investigated in seedless cultivars of both species. Analyses performed by full-scan combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of extracts from ovaries at anthesis demonstrated the presence of GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₁, GA₈, GA₃ and iso-GA₃ in Satsuma mandarin, whereas only GA₂₉, GA₃ and trace levels of GA₈ were detected in Clementine. At this developmental stage GA-like substances, as estimated by bioassay, reached their highest levels in Satsuma, while Clementine mandarins contained relatively lower levels. In both species the highest levels of free IAA were found at petal-fall stage at which time free ABA levels also peaked. Developing fruits of Clementine had higher amounts of both free IAA and ABA. In Satsuma, levels of conjugated IAA remained low throughout reproductive development whereas in Clementine they increased as the free form declined. In contrast, conjugated ABA was at low levels in Clementine but reached higher concentrations in Satsuma. These results suggest that in these mandarins the potential for setting parthenocarpic fruits is mainly influenced by the hormonal status of the fruit during the later stages of cell division and early stages of cell enlargement. Thus, the condition of low ability to set parthenocarpic fruits appears to be associated with lower levels of active GAs, lower capability to catabolize ABA to conjugated ABA and higher ability to conjugate IAA during this period.     

Quantitation of gibberellins and indoleacetic acid in Begonia leaves: Relationship with environment, regeneration and flowering

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in leaf extracts of Begonia × cheimantha Everett cv. Nova. The content of IAA and of gibberellins A4, A9, A19 and A20 (GAs) previously identified in this material, were quantified by GC-MS in leaves of Begonia plants grown under different temperature and daylength conditions, using deuterated compounds as internal standards. GA1, which was also identified, was present in too low quantities for reliable quantitation. Rapid and significant decreases (within 2–4 days) occurred in the content of both IAA and GAs when the plants were transferred from conditions which are non-inductive for adventitious bud formation and flowering (24°C/long day) to inductive conditions (24°C/short day, 15°C/long day or 15°C/short day). GA4 and GA9 were affected by photoperiod only, whereas IAA, GA19 and GA20 were affected by both photoperiod and temperature. The data suggest that biosynthesis of GA9 and GA4 are blocked in short days at a step located before GA9. Conversion of GA19 to GA20 seemed to be blocked by both short days and low temperature, while an additional block located before GA19 seemed to be imposed in 15°C/short day. The results confirm earlier results and support the hypothesis that photoperiod and temperature effects in Begonia are mediated by endogenous hormones.     

磷脂酶Dδ对拟南芥叶片衰老过程中内源ROS和激素含量的影响

活性氧（ROS）和植物激素是植物衰老过程中重要的内在或者外在的调控因子。我们发现,相对于离体诱导的衰老过程,在脱落酸（ABA）和乙烯（ethylene）促进的衰老过程中有较多的活性氧积累;在对拟南芥磷脂酶Dδ（PLDδ）缺失型突变体的研究中发现,与野生型相比,突变体在衰老过程中产生较少的活性氧。我们比较了上述两种基因型的离体叶片在离体、ABA和ethylene三种衰老处理下内源的ABA、茉莉酸甲酯（MeJA）、玉米素核苷（Zeatin Riboside, ZR）和吲哚乙酸（IAA）的含量变化,发现每一种激素对上述三种衰老处理的响应模式都很相似。在离体诱导的衰老中,两种基因型拟南芥的内源激素含量没有差异;而在ABA促进的衰老过程中,PLDδ缺失型突变体叶片中的MeJA的含量较低,ZR和IAA含量较高;在乙烯促进的衰老过程中,突变体中的ABA和MeJA的含量较低,ZR和IAA含量较高。上述内源激素的这种变化可能有助于延缓突变体的衰老。     

分析拟南芥叶片在激素促进的衰老中内源激素变化来解析抑制磷脂酶Dα1延缓激素促进衰老的机制

采后衰老进程在很大程度上受到内源和外源激素的影响。抑制拟南芥中磷脂酶Dα1 (phospholipase Dα1, PLDα1)的表达后,使得外源脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）和乙烯加速的离体叶片衰老过程在一定程度上得到了缓解。然而,内源激素在这个过程中的作用尚不清楚。本研究对比分析了野生型和PLDα1缺失型两种基因型拟南芥叶片在3种不同人工老化过程中（离体诱导的、外源ABA和乙烯促进的衰老过程）,内源ABA,茉莉酸甲酯（methyl jasmonate,MeJA）、 吲哚乙酸（indole 3 acetic acid,IAA）、玉米素核苷（zeatin riboside,ZR）和赤霉素（gibberellic acid,GA3）的含量变化。这5种激素对3种不同衰老处理方式的响应模式表明了人工老化过程存在着两个不同阶段,并且在衰老早期每种激素的变化模式相同。PLDα1功能缺失使得激素加速的衰老过程得以延缓,这与内源ABA、MeJA、ZR和IAA的含量变化有关,而与GA3的含量变化无关。同时,ZR和IAA的变化模式也说明了这两种激素的变化可能是缺失PLDα1延缓激素加速的衰老过程这一事件的原因而非结果。     

Hormonal changes in papaya seedlings subjected to progressive water stress and re-watering

Changes on abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels were investigated in papaya seedlings (Carica papaya L.) cv. “Baixinho de Santa Amalia” under progressive water stress and subsequent rehydration. Also, the behaviour of leaf gas exchange and leaf growth was determined under stress condition. The results indicated that ABA and JA differ in their pattern of change under water stress. ABA continuously increased in leaves and roots during the whole period of stress whereas JA showed a sharp increase and a later decrease in both organs. Re-watering reduced rapidly (24 h) leaf and root ABA to control levels whereas the influence on JA levels could not be assessed. Drought and recovery did not alter IAA levels in leaf and root tissues of papaya seedlings. In addition, water stress reduced stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, the percentage of attached leaves and leaf growth. Rehydration reverted in few days the effects of stress on leaf growth and gas exchange parameters. Overall, the data suggest that ABA could be involved in the induction of several progressive responses such as the induction of stomatal closure and leaf abscission to reduce papaya water loss. In addition, the pattern of accumulation of JA is compatible with a triggering signal upstream ABA. The unaltered levels of IAA could suggest a certain adaptive ability of papaya to maintain active physiological processes under progressive drought stress.     

三裂叶豚草雄花序分化期ABA、GAs和IAA的含量动态

【背景】三裂叶豚草为我国外来入侵有害植物,是世界公认的危害性杂草,不仅影响农牧业的生产,而且其花粉含有致敏蛋白,能引起人体一系列的过敏反应,危害人类健康。植物内源激素与植物生长发育的基本规律和代谢过程的调节控制密切相关。【方法】本文利用高效液相色谱法,研究了三裂叶豚草雄花序分化过程中3种内源激素的含量动态。【结果】在三裂叶豚草雄花芽分化过程中,赤霉素(GAs)的含量在分化初期比较平稳,从花蕾分化期开始急剧下降,雄蕊分化期又上升;吲哚乙酸(IAA)的含量始终处于缓慢上升的趋势;脱落酸(ABA)在花瓣分化期出现且迅速上升,在雄蕊分化末期达到峰值。3种激素中,ABA含量与三裂叶豚草花芽分化的相关性较明显。【结论与意义】ABA的出现及其含量是决定三裂叶豚草雄花序分化能否完成的一个关键因素。本研究为利用化学方法防治三裂叶豚草提供了依据。     

牡丹冬季室内催花过程中内源激素含量的变化

牡丹品种朱砂垒(PaeoniasuffruticosaAndr.cv.Zhushalei)在冬季室内催花过程中7种内源激素含量变化不同。玉米素核苷(Z ZR)、生长素(IAA)和赤霉素(GA3)的含量在花生长发育过程中处于较高水平;而脱落酸(ABA)、异戊烯基腺苷(IP IPA)、二氢玉米素核苷(DHZ DHZR)、赤霉素(GA4)的含量低于上述3种内源激素。激素平衡方面,GAs/ABA、CTKs/ABA、IAA/ABA处于较高水平,变化幅度较大。在催花过程中,内源激素以及其平衡影响牡丹花的生长发育。本研究结果对牡丹花期调控提供理论依据。     

Induced parthenocarpy—a way of changing the levels of endogenous hormones in tomato fruits (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) 1. Extractable hormones

Ethylene, indol-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellin-like substances (GAs) and abscisic acid (ABA) were analysed in extracts from normal, seed-containing and parthenocarpic tomato fruits throughout fruit development. Parthenocarpic fruit growth was induced with an auxin (4-CPA), morphactin (CME) or gibberellic acid (GA₃) and compared with that of pollinated control fruits. Fruit growth was only affected by the treatment with GA₃, decreasing size and fresh weight by 60%. The peak sequence of hormones during fruit development was ethylene-GAs-IAA-ABA. Seeded fruits contained the highest levels of IAA and ABA but the lowest levels of GAs. Also, in seeded fruits, a high proportion of IAA and ABA was found in the seeds whereas this was not the case for GAs.Hormone levels of tomato fruits may be successfully, easily and reproducibly altered by inducing parthenocarpic fruit growth and thus eliminating development of seeds which are a major source of hormone synthesis. In spite of markedly changed hormone levels, there was no obvious relationship between fruit growth and extractable hormones per se. However, the results indicate that a high ratio of GAs: auxins is unfavourable for growth of tomato fruits.     

Endogenous abscisic acid levels are not linked to methyl jasmonate-promoted senescence of detached rice leaves

Both abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonates are known to promote leaf senescence. Since ABA and jasmonates have both chemical and physiological similarities, we are interested to know whether senescence of detached rice leaves induced by methyl jasmonate (MJ) is mediated through an increase in endogenous ABA levels. In darkness, the endogenous level of ABA in detached rice leaves remained unchanged in the first day of incubation in water and increased about 5 times its initial value in the second day. However, the pattern of senescence, as judged by protein loss, was rapid during the first day. MJ significantly promoted senescence of detached rice leaves. Contrary to our expectation, endogenous ABA levels decreased in MJ-treated detached rice leaves. Similar to the effect of MJ, endogenous ABA levels decreased in detached rice leaves which were induced to senesce by treatment with NH₄Cl. These results suggest that endogenous ABA levels are not linked to MJ-induced senescence of detached rice leaves.     

Possible correlation between high temperature-induced floret sterility and endogenous levels of IAA,GAs and ABA in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

In order to explore the possible physiological mechanism of high temperature induced sterility in rice, we examined the floret sterility and endogenous plant growth regulator contents in pollens of two hybrid rice cultivars Shanyou63 and Teyou559 that are tolerant and susceptible to high temperature, respectively. Indexes of floret sterility, pollen activity, and variation of endogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acids (GAs), abscisic acid (ABA), free proline and soluble proteins in anthers were measured. We found that during the course of high temperature treatment, both cultivars exhibited a marked decrease in pollen activity, pollen germination and floret fertility; however, the high temperature tolerant Shanyou63 showed a much slower rate of decrease than the high temperature susceptible Teyou559. In addition, anthers of both cultivars displayed a decrease in the contents of IAA, GAs, free proline and soluble proteins but an increase in the ABA content. Yet compared to Teyou559, Shanyou63 retained significantly higher levels of free praline and GAs and a lower level of ABA, along with higher pollen vigour and pollen germination rate even after prolonged high temperature treatment. Our study suggests a possible correlation between pollen viability/floret sterility and high temperature-caused changes in IAA, GAs, ABA, free proline and soluble protein contents. The severity in these changes may reflect the variation of rice cultivars in their heat stress sensitivities for floret development.     

光质对设施葡萄叶片衰老与内源激素含量的影响

以设施延迟栽培条件下叶片衰老速度不同的意大利和无核白鸡心2个葡萄品种为试材,分别进行补充红光和蓝光处理,研究不同光质对叶片衰老过程中叶绿素含量、净光合速率和内源激素含量的影响.结果表明: 与未补光对照相比,红光能够显著提高叶片的叶绿素含量和净光合速率,降低了内源赤霉素(GA₃)含量,但明显减缓了脱落酸(ABA)含量的增加和玉米素核苷(ZR)总含量的减少,从而显著提高了(GA₃+ZR)/ABA值,延缓叶片衰老.叶片衰老前期,蓝光处理叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率和(GA₃+ZR)/ABA值均低于对照,加速了植株的衰老进程;但在叶片衰老后期,蓝光处理叶绿素含量、净光合速率和(GA₃+ZR)/ABA值逐渐高于对照,在一定程度上延缓了叶片衰老.植物内源激素生长素(IAA)则表现出叶片衰老前期促进叶片生长发育、叶片衰老后期加速衰老的双重作用.意大利叶片衰老速度较无核白鸡心慢.在本试验条件下,红光处理效果最好,有效延缓了叶片衰老进程,延长了叶片的生理功能期.     

分析拟南芥叶片在激素促进的衰老中内源激素变化来解析抑制磷脂酶Dα1延缓激素促进衰老的机制

采后衰老进程在很大程度上受到内源和外源激素的影响。抑制拟南芥中磷脂酶Dα1（phospholipaseDtxl,PLDod）的表达后,使得外源脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）和乙烯加速的离体叶片衰老过程在一定程度上得到了缓解。然而,内源激素在这个过程中的作用尚不清楚。本研究对比分析了野生型和PLDα1缺失型两种基因型拟南芥叶片在3种不同人工老化过程中（离体诱导的、外源ABA和乙烯促进的衰老过程）,内源ABA,茉莉酸甲酯（methyl jasmonate,MeJA）、吲哚乙酸（indole-3-acetic acid,IAA）、玉米素核苷（zeatin riboside,ZR）和赤霉素（gibberellic acid,GA,）的含量变化。这5种激素对3种不同衰老处理方式的响应模式表明了人工老化过程存在着两个不同阶段,并且在衰老早期每种激素的变化模式相同。PLDα1功能缺失使得激素加速的衰老过程得以延缓,这与内源ABA、MeJA、ZR和IAA的含量变化有关。而与GA、的含量变化无关。同时,ZR和IAA的变化模式也说明了这两种激素的变化可能是缺失PLDα1延缓激素加速的衰老过程这一事件的原因而非结果。     

Sex-related adaptive responses of Populus cathayana to photoperiod transitions

Populus cathayana Rehd., a dioecious tree species, occupies a wide range of habitats in southwest China. Both males and females were grown under two regimes of photoperiod, from mid-length to short-day photoperiod (SD shift), or to long-day photoperiod (LD shift). SD shift triggered leaf senescence in both males and females by decreasing net photosynthesis rate ( A ), transpiration ( E ), and chlorophyll pigment ( Chl ), non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) contents, while increasing abscisic acid (ABA), malonaldehyde (MDA) and free proline (Pro) contents. The antioxidant enzyme (e.g. POD, CAT and SOD) activities and capability to maintain ultrastructural integrity also decreased under SD shift. Males exhibited faster leaf senescence than did females, as shown by greater decreases in A , E , Chl and IAA. However, males maintained a less senescent stage than did females, as indicated by higher values of A , Chl , NSC, IAA and antioxidant enzyme activities. Conversely, A , E , NSC and IAA contents and antioxidant enzyme activities were enhanced by lower O₂^•− in females, whereas reduced by higher O₂^•− in males under LD shift. Such sex-dependent responses of P. cathayana to photoperiod transitions showed that males and females possess different adaptabilities, which may relate to sex-specific leaf senescence speed under changing environments.     

Abscisic Acid Alters the Metabolism of Indole-3-Acetic Acid in Senescing Flowers of Cucumis melo L

Experiments were conducted to investigate indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism associated with postanthesis senescence of ovaries from nonpollinated muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) flowers. Flowers attached to the vine were allowed to senesce for 4 days after anthesis or were harvested at full anthesis and aged for the same time interval with or without access to water. The IAA ester, amide-linked forms of IAA, free ABA, and ABA esters increased in senescent ovaries from flowers left attached to the vine. Detaching flowers from the vine resulted in an accumulation of free and amide-linked IAA in the senescing ovary but suppressed accumulation of ester IAA. Free ABA failed to increase in ovaries detached from the vine. Subjecting detached flowers to water stress had no effect on the endogenous level of free ABA but resulted in the accumulation of ABA ester and suppression of any increase in free IAA. However, detached flowers treated with 0.1 millimolar ABA accumulated 75% less free IAA and initiated the synthesis of ester IAA. Detached flowers treated with ABA also accumulated high levels of ester ABA. These results suggest that the metabolism of free IAA in muskmelon ovary tissue is regulated in situ and not the consequence of external synthesis and importation. ABA appears to be transported into the senescing ovary from an external source and alters the IAA metabolism in such a manner as to suppress the level of free IAA while stimulating accumulation of the ester IAA.     

IAA, ABA, polyamines and free amino acids associated with zygotic embryo development of Ocotea catharinensis

The aim of this work was to study morphological and biochemical aspects during zygotic embryogenesis in O. catharinensis, by measuring changes in the endogenous concentrations of proteins, amino acids, polyamines (PAs), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Buffer-soluble and insoluble protein contents were determined by spectrometry, and amino acids, PAs, IAA and ABA concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Total amino acid accumulation, predominantly asparagine, occurred when the embryo showed completely developed cotyledons, with posterior reduction in the mature embryo. This decrease in total amino acid concentration in the mature embryo may result from their use in storage␣as well as for LEA protein synthesis. Free putrescine (Put) concentration decreased, while free spermine (Spm) increased during embryo development. This suggest a role for Put in the initial phases of embryogenesis when high rates of cell division occur, while elevated concentration of Spm are essential from the middle to the end of embryo development, when growth is mainly due to cell elongation. An IAA peak in zygotic embryos occurred during initial development, suggesting a link between growth and cellular division as well as with the establishment of bilateral symmetry. ABA concentration declined during initial stages of development then increased at the mature embryo stage, suggesting a possible relationship with dormancy and recalcitrance characteristics. Our results show that changes in the phytohormones (IAA, ABA and PAs) concentrations in combination with amino acids are likely important factors determining the developmental stages of O.␣catharinensis zygotic embryos.     

Increased endogenous indole-3-acetic acid:abscisic acid ratio is a reliable marker of Pinus massoniana rejuvenation

ABSTRACT

Pinus massoniana is a recalcitrant tree species for rooting in vitro. We rejuvenated 26-year-old P. massoniana trees by successive grafting. Rooting rates of rejuvenated shoots were > 83.1% after rooting induction. We compared endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellins (GAs) and zeatin-riboside (ZR), and the rhizogenesis ability of axillary shoots of mature and rejuvenated materials in vitro, i.e., somaplants and grafts. Enhancement of the rooting ability of mature materials in vitro following somatic embryogenesis or repeated grafting onto juvenile rootstocks was accompanied by increased IAA and GAs levels, and by decreased ABA levels in scions used as starting material for micropropagation in vitro. Successive subcultures did not influence the rooting ability of shoots from untreated mature material. Rooting ability of shoots in vitro, however, gradually increased with subculture frequency during repeated subculturing in grafting materials. The IAA:ABA ratio in shoots in vitro after grafting five times, and consequently capable of root organogenesis, was higher than in shoots of untreated mature material incapable of root organogenesis in vitro. A high IAA:ABA ratio was detected in scions of somaplants that were capable of rooting in vitro despite subculture times. We found that the endogenous IAA:ABA ratio is a reliable marker for the recovery of root organogenesis in vitro after rejuvenating treatments for mature P. massoniana trees.     

Quantitative relationship between indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid during leaf growth in Coleus blumei

Quantitative determinations by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry ofindole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) in growing leaves ofColeusblumei plants show parallel declines in leaf concentrations of bothhormones,except in leaf number 3 (about three-fourths of full size) where IAA level wasthe lowest of those measured. Expansion of the most recently unfurled leaf tofull size serves, in effect, to dilute both IAA and ABA about 1.7 to 1.Althoughabsolute levels of leaf IAA varied as much as an order of magnitude from onebatch of plants to another, ABA levels were proportional to the IAA level withan overall correlation coefficient of 0.91. Evidence, both correlative andcausal, for the determination of ABA status by IAA—and of IAA status byABA—in leaves and other developing organs is summarized.