Hormone-directed Transport of Assimilates in Decapitated Internodes of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Application of ethylene, indole-3yl-acetic acid (IAA), 6-(benzylamino)-9-(2tetrahydropyranyl)-9-Hpurine (SD8339), or mixtures of IAA, gibberellic acid (GA),and cytokinins, increased the accumulation of ¹⁴C-activity indecapitated internodes of Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings. Differencesbetween treated and untreated tissues with respect to importof labelled assimilate were detected 3 h after application ofa mixture of IAA, GA, and SD8₃₃₉. In longer-term experimentseffects of the growth-regulator mixture on translocation oflabel were greater than those of IAA alone. Inhibitory effectsof abscisic acid on import of assimilate were counteracted bySD8₃₃₉. The ability of internode tissues to import ¹⁴C-photosynthatedeclines with time from decapitation, and a decrease in incorporationof ¹⁴C-leucine into protein was detected after 24 h. There wasan increase in protein and RNA synthesis in internodal tissuesfollowing a 2.5-h pre-treatment of decapitated internodes withIAA, GA, and SD8₃₃₉. Concentrations of 2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoicacid which inhibit ¹⁴C-IAA translocation stimulate protein synthesisin decapitated internodes, and augment the IAA-effect on importof ¹⁴C-photosynthate. ‘Hormone-directed’ assimilatetransport is discussed in relation to confounding effects ofgrowth responses and differential senescence of treated anduntreated tissues. It is suggested that accumulation of labelledassimilate in treated tissues results from effects of growthregulators on synthetic activities at the point of application.     

Effect of Peroxydisulfate on Vigna radiata Abscission

K₂S₂O₈, applied to the basal end of cuttings of Vigna radiatastimulated leaf abscission in the light or dark. Because inhibitionof leaf sbscission in the dark by IAA was completely abolishedby K₂S₂O₈, and IAA decreased stimulation of abscission by K₂S₂O₈,destruction of IAA in the cuttings by K₂S₂O₈ is indicated. K₂S₂O₈had no effect on leaf abscission when applied as a foliar sprayor when roots of undisturbed seedlings were treated. When appliedproximally or distally to leafless explants, K₂S₂O₈ inhibitedpetiole abscission, and neither IAA nor ethylene had an effecton the inhibition. Although K₂S₂O₈ destroyed IAA in vitro, ithad no effect on abscission inhibitors in macerates of Vignaleaves and corn roots, nor did it destroy the biological activityof IAA added to such macerates. Substances liberated by macerationmay interfere with the ability of K₂S₂O₈ to destroy IAA. (Received May 2, 1981; Accepted August 24, 1981)     

The influence of various plant hormones on the stimulatory action of red light on greening in excised etiolated cotyledons of cucumber

In etiolated cotyledons of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv.Aonagajibai), preillumination with a short pulse of red lighteliminated the lag phase and stimulated Chl formation in thelinear phase during subsequent continuous illumination. Thistwofold effect was clearly distinguishable by varying the lengthsof the dark periods after preillumination. Pretreatment of excisedcotyledons with BA, GA₃ ethylene, or IAA stimulated Chl formationduring subsequent illumination. The effects of BA and GA₃ seemedindependent of both kinds of red light effects. However, ethyleneand IAA interacted with red light in increasing the rate ofChl formation during the linear phase. This may provide someclue to the red light action on Chl formation through its probablestimulation of ethylene production. (Received June 7, 1978; )     

Effects of N2O narcosis on breathing and effort sensations during exercise and inspiratory resistive loading

Fothergill, D. M., and N. A. Carlson. Effects ofN₂O narcosis on breathing andeffort sensations during exercise and inspiratory resistive loading.J. Appl. Physiol. 81(4):1562-1571, 1996.The influence of nitrous oxide(N₂O) narcosis on the responses toexercise and inspiratory resistive loading was studied in thirteen maleUS Navy divers. Each diver performed an incremental bicycle exercisetest at 1 ATA to volitional exhaustion while breathing a 23%N₂O gas mixture and a nonnarcoticgas of the same PO₂, density, andviscosity. The same gas mixtures were used during four subsequent30-min steady-state submaximal exercise trials in which the subjectsbreathed the mixtures both with and without an inspiratory resistance(5.5 vs. 1.1 cmH₂O ^· s ^· l¹at 1 l/s). Throughout each test, subjective ratings of respiratory effort (RE), leg exertion, and narcosis were obtained with acategory-ratio scale. The level of narcosis was rated between slightand moderate for the N₂O mixturebut showed great individual variation. Perceived leg exertion and thetime to exhaustion were not significantly different with the twobreathing mixtures. Heart rate was unaffected by the gas mixture andinspiratory resistance at rest and during steady-state exercise but wassignificantly lower with the N₂O mixture during incremental exercise (P < 0.05). Despite significant increases in inspiratory occlusionpressure (13%; P < 0.05),esophageal pressure (12%; P < 0.001), expired minute ventilation (4%;P < 0.01), and the work rate ofbreathing (15%; P < 0.001) when the subjects breathed the N₂O mixture,RE during both steady-state and incremental exercise was 25% lowerwith the narcotic gas than with the nonnarcotic mixture(P < 0.05). We conclude that the narcotic-mediated changes in ventilation, heart rate, and RE induced by23% N₂O are not of sufficientmagnitude to influence exercise tolerance at surface pressure.Furthermore, the load-compensating respiratory reflexes responsible formaintaining ventilation during resistive breathing are not depressed byN₂O narcosis.

     

Gibberellin-colchicine interaction in elongation of azuki bean epicotyl sections

In azuki bean (Azukia angularis = Vigna angularis) epicotylsections, gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) enhanced the growth promotingeffect of indoleacetic acid (IAA), but showed no growth effectwhen applied alone. Sections showed practically no cell division.The promoting effect of GA₃ on section growth seems to be dueto its promoting effect on cell elongation. The diameters of sections treated with IAA increased, but thediameters of sections treated with GA₃ together with IAA remainedconstant. GA₃ seems to suppress cell expansion in a directiontransverse to the cell axis. Colchicine at a concentration with no inhibiting effect on IAA-inducedelongation almost completely reversed the effect of GA₃ On the basis of these results, the participation of wall microtubulesin GA₃-induced elongation is discussed. (Received October 22, 1971; )     

Effects of Osmotic Stress, Ionic Stress and IAA on the Cell-Membrane Resistance of Vigna Hypocotyls

The cell-membrane resistance (R_m) of Vigna hypocotyls was examined,and the effects of osmotic stress, ionic stress and IAA on R_mwere investigated. R_m decreased by 64 to 77% under osmotic stressin the presence of absorbable solutes (40 mM sorbitol, 15 mMKC1, 30 mM sucrose; or 40 mM sorbitol, 15 mM KC1, 30 mM sucroseplus 10^–4 M IAA) or under ionic stress (50 mM NaCl or50 mM KC1). R_m was not changed by perfusion with 10^–4M IAA. Therefore, the hyper-polarizations of the membrane potentialobserved in both cases should be ascribed totally to the activationof the electrogenic proton pump. Although R_m showed an increaseof 1.6 fold when the hypocotyls were subjected to osmotic stress(100 mM sorbitol or 100 mM sorbitol plus 10^–4 M IAA),83.6% or 92.4% of the hyperpolarization of the membrane potential(V_px was also the result of the activation of the pump. Theresults, calculated on the basis of the current source model,support the viewpoint that the hyperpolarization of the cellmembrane potential of Vigna hypocotyls under osmotic stress,ionic stress or in the presence of IAA is an expression of theactivation of the proton pump, and is not caused by an increasein R_m. ¹ Present address: Researchers and Planners of Natural Environment, Yotsugi Bldg. (2F), 1-5-4 Horinouchi, Suginami-Ku, Tokyo,166 Japan ² Present address: Graduate School of Integrated Science, YokohamaCity University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama, 236 Japan (Received February 14, 1991; Accepted July 24, 1991)     

Zinc Deficiency Affects the Levels of Endogenous Gibberellins in Zea mays L.

Zinc deficiency in Zea mays L. markedly reduced the level ofGA₁, but not GA₂₀, suggesting blockage of 3rß-hy-droxylation.The level of IAA was also decreased although not as markedly.Castasterone was affected less than IAA by zinc deficiency. (Received February 24, 1997; Accepted June 24, 1997)     

Developmental Changes in Amounts of Thylakoid Components in Plastids of Barley Leaves

Changes in the amounts of several components of the photosyntheticelectron-transport system during greening of etiolated barleyleaves were studied on a "per plastid" basis. P700 and Q_A, whichwere initially absent from etioplasts, appeared 2 h after thestart of illumination in complete complexes of PS I and PS II,respectively. From 6 h, they increased rapidly in amount witha constant stoichiometric ratio of 1:1. Amounts of Cyt f, Cytb₆, Cyt b-559 and FeS, initially present in etioplasts at levelsthat were one-third to half of those in mature chloroplasts,also increased rapidly after 6 h of illumination. The molarratio of Cyt f, Cyt b₆ and Cyt b-559 was the same in etioplastsand in mature chloroplasts, namely 1:2:2. After 4 h of illumination,levels of FeS increased at nearly the same rate as those ofthe PS I complex. The increase in levels of all components wasmarked after 6 h of illumination, probably due to the energysupplied by developing plastids that had just become photosyntheticallycompetent. The results are discussed in relation to the timeof appearance of chlorophyll-protein complexes and photochemicalactivities. ¹ Present address: Department of Botany, Faculty of Science,Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-01 Japan.     

EFFECT OF SOME SULFHYDRYL REAGENTS ON LIGHT-INDUCED CO2-FIXATION IN CHLORELLA

1. Using intact cells of Chlorella ellipsoidea, investigationswere made on the effects of some SH-reagents (IAA, CMB and arsenite)upon various reactions pertaining to the primary photogenicagent (designated by R) formed in the mechanism of photosynthesis.
2. The pre-illumination experiments using ¹⁴CO₂ as a tracer haveled us to the inference that (i) the process of photochemicalformation of R is inhibited by IAA, that (ii) the spontaneousdecay of R in the dark is markedly accelerated by CMB and arsenite,but not at all affected by IAA, and that (iii) the participationof R in the cyclic path of carbon leading to the fixation ofCO₂ is not affected by IAA and CMB.
3. Based on the assumptionthat R is a reducing agent, it was discussedthat the fact mentionedunder (iii) is incompatible with theidea that the reductionof PGA to triose phosphate be the soleor rate-determining reductivestep in the cyclic path of carbonin photosynthesis.
4. The possibilitythat R may have a functional SH-group (s) wasinvoked to accountfor the observation that the decay of R inthe dark was markedlyaccelerated by CMB and arsenite.

(Received February 11, 1960; )     

Regulation of IBA synthetase from maize (Zea mays L.) by drought stress and ABA

The rate of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) synthesis in maize seedlingsis dependent on the culture conditions of the plants. When theseedlings were grown on filter paper soaked with different amountsof water, the activity of IBA synthetase differed strongly.High amounts of water (150 and 200 ml per bowl) inhibited IBAsynthesis completely in vitro, whereas 30 and 50 ml water perbowl increased the activity dramatically. Under conditions whereIBA synthetase was inhibited (150 ml H₂O), an increase of enzymeactivity was observed when abscisic acid (ABA) was exogenouslyadded in concentrations between 510^–4 to 510^–7M. Under ‘drought’ conditions (50 ml H₂O per bowl)the same ABA concentrations were inhibitory. Jasmonic acid andsalicylic acid also enhanced IBA synthetase activity to someextent, whereas indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and kinetin had noeffect. Activity could also be enhanced by osmotic stress (NaCIand sorbitol), but not under temperature stress. In accompanyinginvestigations the endogenous contents of IAA, IBA, and ABAunder the different culture conditions have been determinedas well as the energy charge of the seedlings. Similar observationshave been made with Amaranthus, wheat and pea seedlings Key words: Abscisic acid, Amaranthus paniculatus, drought stress, inole-3-butyric acid biosynthesis, Pisum sativum, Triticum aestivum, Zea mays     

Indole-3-acetic acid Metabolism in Pea Seedings: A Comparative Study using Carboxyl-and Ring-Labelled Isomers

Etiolated pea plants, grown aseptically, were treated with eitherring- or carboxyl-labelled indole-₃-acetic acid (IAA), and subsequentlythe carbon dioxide which had been released, the residual culturesolution, and the dissected plant parts were examined for radioactivecompounds. Although some breakdown of IAA was detected in theabsence of plants, much more decarboxylation occurred when theywere present. The only metabolite found in any quantity in vivowas IAA-aspartate. Very small amounts of indole-₃-aldehyde,and of other substances identified only tentatively, were alsoobserved. A further substance, possibly N-hydroxy indole-₃-aceticacid, was found in the seedlings as well as in the culture medium;its presence in vivo is unlikely to have any metabolic significance.The paucity of products in the seedlings suggests that rapidbreakdown of IAA does not occur in vivo.     

Mode of Action of IAA and GA3 on Root and Shoot Growth of Epiphyllous Buds of Bryophyllum tubiflorum

Darkness and GA₃ stimulate the elongation of the first internodebut inhibit the production of roots while IAA inhibits internodalelongation but promotes the production of roots on epiphyllousbuds of Bryophylhum tubiflorum. Cycloheximide inhibits both,implicating the synthesis of proteins in the growth of bothroot and shoot. Even pre-treatment of buds with cycloheximidefor 4 h inhibits rooting as well as internodal elongation whenthese are subsequently transferred to IAA or GA₃. On the otherhand, pre-treatment with IAA or GA₃ even for 8 h does not alleviatethe inhibitory effect of cycloheximide suggesting that thereis a lag period between the application of these regulatorsand the synthesis of proteins caused by them.     

Exogenous Auxin and N-1 -Naphthylphthalamic Acid Effects on Populus deltoides Xylogenesis

A method was developed for evaluating the empirical alterationof xylem vessel differentiation in the central leaf trace ofPopulus deltoides, a species that exhibits helical phyllotaxis.Effects of experimental treatments for a period of six plastochronswere evaluated by vessel parameter ratios = 2.P_T/ (P_T+1 + P_T–1),where P was either vessel number or mean transverse vessel areameasured at mid-intern ode at Leaf Plastochron Indices of T– 1, T, and T + 1. Excising leaf laminae reduced vesselnumber and mean vessel area in the associated central leaf traceby 50% and 70%, respectively, compared to unexcised laminaecontrols. Replacing excised laminae with a concentration seriesof exogenous indoleacetic acid (IAA) resulted in a 5% increaseper log mol m^–3 of IAA in the number of vessels differentiatingin the associated central leaf traces compared to excised controls.Mean vessel areas within these leaf traces were 50% of thoseof intact leaf traces. No significant effects of different concentrationsof exogenously applied IAA on mean vessel area could be demonstrated.A lanolin paste ring of N-1 -naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA),an auxin transport inhibitor, around the petioles of intactleaves reduced the number of differentiating vessels by 7% andmean vessel area by 29% per log mol m^–3 of NPA comparedto central leaf traces of leaves ringed with plain lanolin paste.The results suggest that NPA treatments may be used to distinguishexperimentally, at least in part, the cell division from thecell enlargement phases of primary xylogenesis within centralleaf traces of P. deltoides stems. Key words: Auxin transport, Vessel area, Vessel number     

Variations in the Contents and Kinetic Properties of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylases among Rice Species

The K_m(CO₂) ancl V_max of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylaseand its protein ratio to total soluble protein from Oryza speciesincluding cultivars (25 varieties) and wild types (11 species,21 strains) were surveyed. Their variabilities among cultivarsof O. sativa were very small. The averages of the K_m(CO₂) andV_max values and the ratio of carboxylase to soluble protein,and their standard errors were 10.2?1.0µM, 1.72?0.13units.mg^–1(pH 8.0 and 25?C) and 52?2%, respectively. However, some differencesseemed to exist based on genome constitution in the Oryza genus.RuBP carboxylases from the species with the A^gA^g genome, O.graberrima and O. breviligulate, exhibited low K_m(CO₂) values(8.0?0.8 µM). High V_max was associated with the CC genome,O. eichingeri and O. officinalis (2.08?0.15 units.mg^–1).A higher ratio of RuBP carboxylase protein to soluble proteinwas found for the AA genome, O. sativa and O. perennis. (Received September 24, 1986; Accepted April 15, 1987)     

Appearance of Photochemical Activity in Isolated Chloroplasts from Far-red-illuminated Leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris

Chloroplast development was followed in intact bean leaves illuminatedwith far-red light by extracting chloroplasts at various timesto assay photosynthetic activities. Photochemical activity wasdetected in isolated chloroplasts prior to the times which werepreviously reported for intact leaf discs. Cyclic phosphorylationwas observed in isolated chloroplasts after 8 h of far-red illuminationwhile non-cyclic electron transport and phosphorylation weremeasurable after 12 and 16 h of illumination respectively. TheP/2e ratios were less than 0.5 after 24 h of far-red exposurebut approached a value of 1.0 by 60 h of illumination. Ammoniumchloride (10^–3 M) had little effect on electron transportin isolated chloroplasts until after 24 h of far-red illumination.Chlorophyll a accumulated slowly from the onset of far-red illuminationwhile chlorophyll b was not detected until after 48 h of far-redexposure. Leaf fresh weight increased four-fold over the 60h illumination period. Electron microscopy of isolated chloroplasts from far-red-illuminatedleaves indicated the presence of unfused primary thylakoidsby 12 h of exposure and prolamellar bodies throughout the entire60 h illumination period. Grana were not observed in isolatedchloroplasts nor were they induced by a 2 min exposure of thechloroplasts to 172 000 lx of white light. O₂ evolution in leaf discs of far-red-illuminated plants wasmeasurable after 16 h of illumination, attained a maximum valueby 36 h of far-red exposure, and then declined. Net CO₂ fixationwas observed in leaf discs after 8 h of far-red illuminationand the rates remained constant for an additional 16 h, beforeincreasing at least two-fold.     

Factors Controlling Induction of Carbonic Anhydrase and Efficiency of Photosynthesis in Chlorella vulgaris llh Cells

When Chlorella vulgaris llh cells which had been grown in airenriched with 2–4% CO₂ (high-CO₂ cells) were bubbled withair containing ca. 400 ppm CO₂, illumination at an intensityas low as the light compensation point (350 lux) was sufficientto increase the photosynthetic rate under limiting CO₂ concentrations.The same treatment induced carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity.The induction of CA activity and increase in photosyntheticrate at limiting CO₂ concentrations were observed in the presenceof 10 µM DCMU which completely inhibits photosynthesis.These results indicate that photosynthetic electron transportis not involved in CA induction in Chlorella vulgaris llh cells.The parallelism between the changes in CA activity and the rateof photosynthesis under limiting CO₂ concentrations agree withthe previous conclusion that the transport of CO₂ from outsideto the site of CO₂ fixation is facilitated by CA and hence lowersthe apparent K_m(CO₂) for photosynthesis. (Received December 24, 1982; Accepted May 10, 1983)     

Preparation of a Photoactive Reaction Center Complex Containing Photo-reducible Fe-S Centers and Photooxidizable Cytochrome c from the Green Sulfur Bacterium Chlorobium tepidum

A photoactive reaction center (RC) complex was isolated fromthe green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum by solubilizationof membranes with Triton X-100, followed by sucrosedensity gradientcentrifugation, DEAE Bio-Gel A chromatography, and hydroxyapatitechromatography. The purified RC complex contained about 50–70bacteriochlorophyll molecules (BChl) per P840, as assayed byphotooxidafion. It showed a near-infrared BChl a absorptionpeak at 814 nm and shoulders at about 800 and 835 nm at roomtemperature. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed 6 polypeptides withapparent molecular masses of 100, 65, 41, 32, 23, and 18 kDa.The RC complex binds functional P840 and Cyt c₅₅₁, which werephotooxidized by continuous illumination at room temperature.Upon flash excitation, the bound Cyt c₅₅₁ was oxidized, andrereduced in the dark with a half-time of 16 and 400 ms in thepresence and absence of 0.1 mM 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol,respectively, at room temperature. At 551 nm, the amount ofthe Cyt c photooxidized by continuous illumination was 60% ofthe amount determined by chemical oxidation-reduction. The functionalCyt c₅₅₁/P840 ratio was calculated to be 1.2–1.7. EPRspectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures revealed that the RCcomplex binds three photoreducible Fe-S centers designated tobe CF_A, CF_B and CF_X (C for Chlorobium). CF_A and CF_B were reducedin the dark with dithionite at pH 10. (Received May 26, 1993; Accepted October 4, 1993)     

Fluorescence induction in chloroplasts isolated from the green alga Bryopsis maxima III. A fluorescence transient indicating proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane

The yield of chlorophyll a fluorescence in dark-adapted intactchloroplasts isolated from the green alga, Bryopsis maxima,showed, after the first wave of the fluorescence induction wasover, a peak labelled M₁ at about 10th sec of illumination.The time to reach M₁ during continuous illumination inverselydepended upon exciting light intensity. The appearance of thepeak M₁ was accelerated by the addition of methyl viologen aselectron acceptor and delayed in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea.KCN had no effect on the peak M₁ at a concentration where photosyntheticoxygen evolution was completely suppressed. Thus, the peak M₁appears to be related to electron transport but not to the carbonreducing cycle. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, NH₄Cl and methylaminediminished or eliminated M₁. On the other hand, an enhancementof the fluorescence yield at M₁ was observed in the presenceof energy transfer inhibitors. Valinomycin plus KCl also increasedheight of the peak M₁. However, the combined addition of valinomycinand dinitrophenol resulted in the complete elimination of thepeak M₁. These results indicate that the fluorescence peak M₁occurring at about 10 sec of illumination is linked to a protongradient across the thylakoid membrane. (Received July 7, 1977; )     

亚洲小车蝗痘病毒与化学杀虫剂混用的杀虫效果及对寄主主要解毒酶活性的影响

亚洲小车蝗痘病毒（Oedaleus asiaticus entomopoxvirus, OaEPV）作为一种增效剂,分别与马拉硫磷、毒死蜱、高效氯氰菊酯、氟氯氰菊酯 、溴氰菊酯化学杀虫剂混合饲喂亚洲小车蝗若虫,统计致死中浓度 LC₅₀ 和其混合使用后的增效比;测定虫体内与抗性有关的两种重要酶——羧酸酯酶（CarE）和谷胱甘肽 S-转移酶（GSTs）的比活力。结果表明：OaEPV 与化学杀虫剂混合饲喂亚洲小车蝗,OaEPV 与毒死蜱 、高效氯氰菊酯、氟氯氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯混用对亚洲小车蝗无明显的增效作用,OaEPV 与马拉硫磷混用,具有一定的增效作用,增效比为 1.42 倍。混剂感染亚洲小车蝗,除与溴氰菊酯混用外,虫体的中肠部位 CarE 的比活力都受到了明显的抑制作用,其中 OaEPV 与马拉硫磷混用下降了 4.21 倍,抑制作用最大。当 OaEPV 与氟氯氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯化学杀虫剂混用后,中肠部位 GSTs 受到了明显的抑制作用,而其脂肪体部位 CarE 和 GSTs 的变化无一定的规律性。结果提示痘病毒与农药混合处理时,病毒主要通过抑制中肠部位 CarE 比活力而增加了农药的杀虫效果。     

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