Regulation of Leaf Shape in the Solanifolia Mutant of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) by Plant Growth Substances

The solanifolia mutant (sf/sf) of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)produces leaves consisting of leaflets with entire margins,unlike the lobed leaflets of normal plants. Normal plants treatedwith gibberellic acid (GA₃) produced leaves with entire marginswhereas mutant plants exposed to 2-chloroethyl-trimethyl ammoniumchloride (CCC)—an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis—producedlobing of leaflets. The leaf area of the mutant was significantlygreater than that of the normal, but was not significantly differentfrom GA₃-treated normal leaves. Similarly, in CCC-treated mutantleaves the leaf area was not different from that of normal untreatedleaves. These observations suggest that the sf/sf mutation affectsthe leaf shape through its effect on endogenous gibberellinsand/or inhibitory substances. Leaf shape, Lycopersicon esculentum, plant growth substances, tomato     

Does Cytokinin Transport from Root-To-Shoot in the Xylem Sap Regulate Leaf Responses to Root Hypoxia?

We have examined the hypothesis that cytokinins transportedfrom roots to shoots affects leaf growth, stomatal conductance,and cytokinin concentration of leaves of Phaseolus and a hybridpoplar (Populus trichocarpa x Populus deltoides) with hypoxicroots. Because cytokinins may interact with other substances,potassium and calcium concentrations were determined in xylemsap of Populus plants with hypoxic and aerated roots while gibberellin(GA) concentrations were measured in shoot tissues. Root hypoxiadecreased leaf growth and closed stomata in both species. Inboth species, fluxes of cytokinins out of the roots were reduced,but no differences in bulk leaf concentrations were measuredbetween the hypoxic and aerated plants. Shoots with aeratedroots contained slightly higher concentrations of GA₁ and GA₃than shoots from hypoxic plants. There were no differences incalcium or potassium concentrations in xylem sap between aerationtreatments. Exogenously applied cytokinins did not alleviatethe growth or stomatal responses caused by root hypoxia. Informationon the site(s) and mechanism(s) of cytokinin action and theways in which cytokinins are compartmentalized within plantcells will be required to understand the physiological significanceof cytokinin transport in the transpirational stream. Key words: Cytokinins, hypoxia, Populus, Phaseolus     

Cultivars of Hexaploid Wheat of Contrasting Stature and Chlorophyll Retention Differ in Cytokinin Content and Responsiveness

The work reported here compared cytokinin content and sensitivityin a selection of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivarsusing the following measurements: leaf cytokinins at three timepoints during light-growth and at four 24 h intervals afterlight-grown plants were transferred to darkness; sensitivityof root growth to direct applications of isopentenyl adenosine([9R]iP); and, sensitivity of germination and subsequent rootand shoot growth to 18 h imbibition of seeds in benzyladenine(BA). Accumulation of zeatin riboside-type cultivars was greatestduring light-growth in Tibet Dwarf, a wheat with an extremedwarf phenotype, intermediate in Omar standard and dwarf cultivars,and lowest in the standard and dwarf versions of Itana. Cytokininlevels were otherwise not directly correlated to plant staturein these wheats. There were no cultivar-associated qualitativedifferences in the types of cytokinins detected in this study.During the 16 h light period, the content of zeatin riboside-typecytokinins increased up to tenfold and then declined to basallevels during dark growth. Chlorophyll retention during dark-growthwas correlated with leaf cytokinin content. Data collected ata restricted number of sampling points during dark-growth suggesteda cyclic accumulation of [9R]iP-type cytokinins and the apparentcycle in Tibet Dwarf was offset by 24 h. Tibet Dwarf showedthe greatest root growth inhibition after exposure of seedlingroots to [9R]iP or imbibition of seeds in BA. Neither of thesetreatments affected shoot growth in any of the cultivars. Wheat; Triticum aestivum ; cytokinin; zeatin riboside; benzyladenine; root inhibition     

NaCl-and Gibberellic Acid-induced Changes in the Content of Auxin and the Activities of Cellulase and Pectin Lyase During Leaf Growth in Rice (Oryza sativa)

The interactive effect of NaCl salinity and gibberellic acidin the activities of cellulase and pectin lyase, and on thecontent of auxin and chlorophyll, has been determined duringleaf growth (fifth from base) in rice. The linear growth, chlorophyllcontent, activity of cellulase, and the auxin level of leaveswere markedly decreased when plants were exposed to salt stress(12 dS m^–1). However pectin lyase activity did not registerany significant alteration in the leaves of salt-stressed plantscompared with the control. Treatment of plants with gibberellicacid (GA₃) (10 ppm) increased the leaf growth and chlorophyllcontent with a concomitant rise in the activity of cellulaseunder stressed as well as non-stressed conditions. A markedincrease in the content of auxin was discernible in the leavesof salt-stressed plants treated with GA₃ compared with non-treatedsalinized ones. An appreciable increment in the activity ofpectin lyase in response to GA₃ administration was detectedonly in the leaves of non-stressed plants. These results indicatethat enhancement of cellulase activity and the augmentationof endogenous auxin content may be involved in the stimulationof rice leaf growth by GA₃ under saline conditions. Oryza sativa, rice, leaf growth, NaCl salinity, gibberellic acid, cellulase, pectin lyase, auxin     

IAA-oxidase in Impatiens balsamina Affected by GA3 and Tannic Acid

The activity of IAA-oxidase increased in the leaves of Impatiensbalsamina plants receiving inductive photoperiodic cycles andin plants receiving treatments with gibberellic acid (GA₃) and/ortannic acid (TA), even under non-inductive photoperiods; theactivity also increased in the stem receiving inductive photoperiodiccycles (8 h). Treatment with GA₃ and TA mimics the effect ofSD cycles in the development of some isoenzymes of IAA-oxidase.Thus a new isoenzyme at R_f 0.48 developed in the leaves andone at R_f 0.82 developed in both the stem and the leaves ofall plants receiving inductive treatments – photoperiodicor chemical – but not in water-treated controls undernon-inductive photoperiods. Another isoenzyme at R_f 0.68 developedonly in the stems. Flowering, gibberellic acid, IAA oxidase, Impatiens, phenols, photoperiod     

The Role of Gibberellins in Early Growth and Development of Sugar Beet

Two gibberellin(GA)-like compounds were found in both rootsand shoots of sugar beet plants using the barley endosperm bioassay.One had chromatographic properties similar to GA₃ and GA₁; theother was highly non-polar, relatively inactive in the endospermassay, and may be a new gibberellin. Presence of the GA_3/1-likecompound was confirmed with the dwarf rice bio-assay. The quantityof this GA was relatively high in the root compared with theshoot at the 3–4 leaf stage when the first supernumerarycambia are being formed in the root. As plants developed throughthe 8–9 leaf stage and the 15–16 leaf stage thequantity of GA per unit fresh weight of material decreased. Application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to the roots of youngsugar beet plants caused a significant increase in root dryweight shortly after treatment and the rate at which supernumerarycambia were produced was increased. Application of GA₃ to asingle petiole caused a significant increase in both root andshoot dry weight. GA₃ applied to either root or shoot causeda reduction in the rate of leaf formation although total leafarea per plant and shoot dry weight were unaffected. The probablerole of GA-like substances in controlling the growth and developmentof young sugar beet plants is discussed.     

Distribution of Endogenous Gibberellins in Vegetative Shoots of Rice

Levels of endogenous gibberellins in rice seedlings (Oryza sativaL., cv. Nipponbare) were compared between young and old leavesat the 4- and 5-leaf stages. The levels of GA₁, GA₁₉ and GA₅₃were higher in the youngest leaf than in older leaves at the5-leaf stage, but they did not differ significantly betweenthe leaf sheath and the leaf blade. At the 4-leaf stage, thelevel of GA₁, was highest in the third leaf sheaths which containedyoung elongating tissues. These results indicate that gibberellinsare synthesized in young vegetative tissues to promote theirelongation growth. The levels of GA₁ in the youngest leaf sheathsof two cultivars of dwarf rice, Tan-ginbozu and Waito-C, wereapproximately 10% of that in the normal rice at the 5-leaf stage.This result could explain the retardation of shoot elongationin these dwarf cultivars. (Received February 15, 1995; Accepted June 1, 1995)     

An efficient genotype-independent method for regeneration of potato plants from leaf tissue

The regeneration of plants from leaf explants of a number of potato cultivars using a number of published one-, two- and three-step methods was assessed. A method using a pretreatment with high levels of auxin and cytokinin coupled with silver thiosulphate in the regeneration medium proved the most rapid and efficient for the eight cultivars examined.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indoleacetic acid - MS Murashige and Skoog - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - STS silver thiosulphate     

Role of acid efflux during growth promotion of primary leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. by hormones and light

The white-light-(WL) induced enlargement of dicotyledonous leaf cells is known to occur via an acid-growth mechanism; i.e., WL causes leaf cells to excrete protons which lead to an increase in wall extensibility and thus cell enlargement. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) and N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) also induce leaf cell enlargement. To see if they also act via acid-induced cell wall loosening, a comparison has been made of WL-, GA₃-and BA-induced growth of strips, taken from primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants raised in continuous red light for 10 d. White light, GA₃ and BA all increased wall extensibility as measured by the Instron technique, and this change preceded the increase in growth rate. However, whereas WL induced significant proton excretion, neither GA₃ nor BA caused any acidification of the apoplast. Furthermore, neutral buffers, which effectively inhibited the growth induced by WL, were without effect on growth promoted by either GA₃ or BA. These results indicate that while WL, GA₃ and BA all initiate growth in bean leaves by altering cell-wall properties, GA₃ and BA do so through some wall loosening mechanism other than wall acidification. Neither gibberellin nor cytokinin is likely to play a major role in light-induced cell enlargement of dicotyledonous leaves.Abbreviations BA N^o-benzyladenine - FC fusicoccin - GA₃ gibberellic acid - RL red light - SK medium 10 mM sucrose+10mM KCl - WL white light     

The effects of temperature and the Rht3 dwarfing gene on growth, cell extension, and gibberellin content and responsiveness in the wheat leaf

The effects of low temperature and the Rht3 dwarfing gene onthe dynamics of cell extension in leaf 2 of wheat were examinedin relation to gibberellin (GA) content and GA-responsivenessof the extension zone. Leaf 2 of wild-type (rht3) wheat closelyresembled that of the Rht3 dwarf mutant when seedlings weregrown at 10C. The maximum relative elemental growth rate (REGR)within the extension zone in both genotypes was lower at 10Cthan at 20C, but the position with respect to the leaf basewas unaffected by temperature. The size of the extension zoneand epidermal cell lengths were similar in both genotypes at10C. Growth at 20C, instead of 10C, increased the lengthof the extension zone beyond the point of maximum REGR in thewild type, but not in the Rht3 mutant. Increasing temperatureresulted in longer epidermal cells in the wild type. Treatingwild-type plants at 10C with gibberellic acid (GA₃) also increasedthe length of the extension zone, but the Rht3 mutant was GA-non-responsive.However, the concentrations of endogenous GA₁ and GA₃ remainedsimilar across the extension zone of wild-type plants grownat both temperatures, despite large differences in leaf growthrates. The period of accelerating REGR as cells enter the extensionzone, and the maximum REGR attained, are apparently not affectedby GA. It is proposed that GA functions as a stimulus for continuedcell extension by preventing cell maturation in the region beyondmaximum REGR and that low temperature increases the sensitivitythreshold for GA action. Key words: Cell extension, gibberellin, Rht3 dwarfing gene, temperature, wheat leaf     

Stem-swelling and photosynthate partitioning in stem mustard are regulated by photoperiod and plant hormones

The experiment was conducted to study the relationship between stem-swelling and photoperiod and growth hormones by comparing stem swelling with non-stem-swelling stem mustard (Brassica juncea var. tsatsai) plants about their growth characteristics and levels of endogenous gibberellin and cytokinin under different photoperiods. The results here showed that plant biomass was higher in 12-h photoperiod compared to that in long day (LD) and short day (SD), whereas stem growth was much stronger in LD compared to 12-h photoperiod and SD. Exogenous application of 1.0 mM gibberellic acid (GA₃) accelerated stem elongation in SD, but 8.9 μM benzyladenine (BA) failed. The shape of the swollen stem was also found to be associated with day length: a LD promoted stem elongation, while a 12-h photoperiod made the stem oval swollen. Also, stem was shown to have no sign of swelling in plants in SD with a relatively poor growth. The further studies showed that the largest proportion of ¹⁴C photosynthate was allocated to the swelling stems in stem-swelling plants, but to expanded leaves in non-stem-swelling plants, and endogenous gibberellin A₁ (GA₁) and zeatin + zeatin riboside (ZRs) were higher in LD compared to 12-h photoperiod and SD. These results from this experiment indicate that stem growth and swelling is a physiological process of hormonal control, and the photoperiod possibly exerts its influence by altering the balance between the levels of endogenous gibberellins and cytokinins.     

Some Effects of Daylength, Temperature and Exogenous Growth Regulator Application on the Growth of Actinidia chinensis Planch

The growth responses of Actinidia chinensis raised from cuttingswere compared in 8 h short days (SD) and 16 h long days (LD)at 15, 20 and 25 °C, as well as under varying day and nighttemperatures The data obtained reveal effects on stem elongation,apparent plastochrons, leaf area and shape, as well as dry matteraccumulation and water contents of different plant parts Theseinvestigations were supplemented by studies on the effects ofapplied GA₃ and ethephon Alternating day/night temperatures(thermoperiodicity) increased leaf area and d wt accumulationin LD Effects on sugar and starch contents, are described anddiscussed Unexpected effects such as very high petiole watercontents and their continuous growth, increased twisting ofthe climbing stem in SD and other findings are also reportedand discussed Actinidia chinensis, Kiwi fruit, gibberellic acid, ethephon, temperature, photoperiod, themoperiodicity     

Specificity of Gibberellin and Sucrose-promoted Flower Bud Growth in Gladiolus

A critical stage in flower bud growth in the spike of Gladioluswhich is initiated by gibberellic acid (GA₃) and sustained bysucrose has been identified. This corresponds to the stage atwhich separation of the outer bract occurs. In buds at differentdevelopmental stages isolated and held in water, it is the samebud stage that first shows increased growth. Buds not inducedby light were shown to respond more significantly to GA₃ andsucrose than those induced by light. Since the separation ofthe outer bract results in light-induced amylase productionand starch hydrolysis leading to petal growth, it is proposedthat growth promotion by GA₃ is related to light-induced petalgrowth at this specific stage. flower bud growth, Gladiolus natalensis, gibberellic acid, sucrose     

Effects of Applied Growth Regulators on Pod Growth and Seed Protein Composition in Pisum sativum L.

Plants of Pisum sativum L. raised from seed of an isogenic lineselected from cv. Greenfeast were grown under glasshouse conditions.The plant growth regulators naphthalene-acetic acid, benzyl-adenine,abscisic acid and gibberellic acid (GA₃) were administered todeveloping fruits by daily injections into the pedicels of podsbetween 2 d and 32 d after full bloom, thereby spanning thetime of maximum protein synthesis. Changes were observed ingrowth rates and dry weights of pods at maturity. Total proteincontent per cotyledon increased in naphthalene-acetic acid,benzyladenine and abscisic acid treatments. Legumin increasedin response to naphthalene-acetic acid and benzyladenine whilevicilin increased in response to abscisic acid. The albumincontent was not affected. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) caused no changesin total protein content or in levels of individual proteinfractions. The level of legumin was further increased by applicationof a one to one mixture of naphthalene-acetic acid and benzyladenine;this treatment also resulted in a marked increase in the albuminfraction but a considerable decrease in vicilin content. Theresults imply that hormones play a role in regulating proteinsynthesis and accumulation in Pisum. Key words: Hormones, Seed, Protein, Composition     

Developmental Physiology of Sugar-beet: IV. EFFECTS OF GROWTH SUBSTANCES AND DIFFERENTIAL ROOT AND SHOOT TEMPERATURES ON SUBSEQUENT GROWTH

The effects of three growth substances, viz. indol-3yl-aceticacid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃), and kinetin (KIN), and differentialshoot and root temperatures on growth of sugar-beet (Beta vulgarisL.) plants have been studied. IAA, GA₃, and KIN were applied in aqueous lanolin at differentconcentrations (50 ppm to 5000 ppm) to decapitated sugar-beetplants at the eight-leaf stage, one group also having alternateleaves removed. The growth substances significantly increasedthe dry weights of the plants when all the leaves were present,which was mainly explained by the large increase in roots. Thegrowth substances probably stimulated cambial activity and hencethe mobilization of substrates resulting in a bigger root whena relatively large leaf area existed. The failure of the plantsto respond to treatments following the removal of alternateleaves suggests that under such conditions the growth substanceshave hardly any major effect on the production of substrates;rather they influence growth by regulating the movement of substratesby altering the ‘sink strength’ if the supply ofsubstrates is not limiting. It could also be that the rootsproduce sufficient growth substances to maintain half the leavesat maximum expansion and maximum photosynthesis. Treatment withgrowth substances would therefore have little effect. When allthe leaves were present, they are limited by insufficient growthsubstances. All combinations of root and shoot temperatures of 17 and 25°C were imposed on plants decapitated at the eight-leafstage, one group also having each alternate leaf removed. Leaf8 expanded most at shoot and root temperature of 25 °C whereasother leaves had the largest areas at shoot and root temperatureof 17 °. When all the leaves were present root growth wasmaximal at shoot temperature of 17°C and root temperatureof 25 °C, but when alternate leaves were removed maximumroot growth occurred at shoot and root temperatures of 25 °C.Generally, a higher concentration of soluble carbohydrates wasfound in the roots and leaves when either the shoot or rootor both were kept at 17 °C. Concentrations of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium in different organs were less at 17°C than at higher shoot or root temperatures and decreasedwith age.     

THE INDEPENDENT ACTION OF MORPHACTINS AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON HIGHER PLANTS

The comparative activity of three morphactins, n-butyl-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate (IT 3233), 9-hydroxy-fluorene-9-carboxylicacid (IT 3235) and methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxy fluorene-9-carboxylate(IT 3456) on the action of gibberellic acid (GA₃) were examinedutilizing dwarf pea (Progress No. 9), dwarf corn (strain d-5),CCC dwarfed Alaska pea, and embryoless barley half-seeds. When applied either prior to or simultaneously with GA₃ themorphactins were without effect in reducing the response ofthe dwarf peas to the gibberellin. In fact IT 3233 and IT 3235in combination with GA₃ produced taller plants than the GA₃controls. Similar results were observed using CCC dwarfed Alaskapeas. The morphactins did, however, produce several morphologicaleffects on the peas. In addition, they were effective in breakingapical dominance in the peas. The morphactins were also withouteffect on the dwarf corn bioassay and no morphological changeswere observed. In the embryoless barley half-seeds the morphactins did notinhibit the response of the tissue to the GA₃. Also, the morphactinsdid not exhibit gibberellin-like properties. The results suggest that morphactins do not compete with gibberellinfor similar sites of action. ¹Published with the approval of the Director of the MichiganAgricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article Number 3917.     

Internode Length in Pisum. A New Allele at the le Locus

In Pisum sativum L. a third, more severe, allele at the internodelength locus le is identified and named le^d. Plants homozygousfor le^d possess shorter internodes and appear relatively lessresponsive to GA₂₀ than comparable le (dwarf) plants. Gene le^dmay act by reducing the 3ß-hydroxylation of GA₂₀ tothe highly active GA₁ more effectively than does gene le. Theresults indicate that le is a leaky mutant and therefore thatendogenous GA₁ influences internode elongation in dwarf (le)plants. Pisum sativum, peas, internode length, genetics, gibberellin, dwarf elongation     

Effects of Gibberellin on Shoot Development in the dgt Mutant of Tomato

The morphological effects of gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) on the dgtmutant of tomato were investigated. The mutant effectively showedthe normal range of responses, including a promotion of stemlength due to an increased number of longer internodes, a dramaticincrease in apical dominance, and effects on leaf shape andcolour. In the case of stem elongation, the quantitative responseof the mutant was greater than normal. The morphological abnormalitiescharacteristic of the dgt mutant, such as horizontal growth,a thin stem and hyponastic leaves, were not normalized by GA₃. It is concluded that the demonstrated lack of response to auxinof the dgt mutant does not impair its gibberellin responses. Tomato, gibberellin, auxin, mutant, shoot development     

Effect of Hormones on Sucrose Uptake and on ATPase Activity of Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck Leaves

Carbohydrate accumulation in young, fully expanded leaves ofCitrus sinensis L. Osbeck is affected by the presence of thefruitlet on the shoot. Previous work gave evidence that gibberellinsmay be involved in this 'fruit effect'. In the present workwe have studied the effect of gibberellic acid (GA₃) on ¹⁴C-sucroseuptake by leaf discs and whether its action could be due toa modulation of the plasma membrane ATPase, which maintainsthe H⁺ gradient that drives H⁺/sucrose co-transport. The effect of GA₃ on ¹⁴C-sucrose uptake depended on the osmolarityof the assay medium. At 300 mOsm a reduction in the uptake ratewas observed. The inhibitory effect of the hormone disappearedafter preincubating the leaf discs with para-chloromercuri-phenylsulphonicacid (PCMPS), a sulphydril binding inhibitor. ATPase activityof isolated plasma membrane vesicles was inhibited by IAA treatments,while GA₃ or ABA did not affect this enzyme, even after a 3h preincubation period. However, in the absence of a surfactantin the assay medium, GA₃, together with turgor pressure, modulatedplasma membrane ATPase activity, possibly through modificationsof membrane permeability. The hormone effect on ¹⁴ C-sucroseuptake may involve action on the sucrose carrier.Copyright 1994,1999 Academic Press Abscisic acid, Citrus sinensis, gibberellic acid, indoleacetic acid, orange, osmotic pressure, plasma membrane ATPase, ¹⁴C-sucrose uptake     

Enhancement of Gibberellic Acid-stimulated Hypocotyl Elongation of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids) by Phlorizin and Light

The interaction of light, gibberellic acid (GA₃), and phlorizinin the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘GrandRapids’) hypocotyls was investigated. At all concentrationsof GA₃, phlorizin enhanced GA₃-induced growth at luminous intensitiesabove 50 ft-c (continuous light). Without GA₃, phlorizin hadno effect on hypocotyl growth in the light but it inhibitedgrowth in the dark. Both seedlings and hypocotyl sections respondedto phlorizin in the presence of GA₃. There was no iteractionbetween phlorizin and KCl. Water-growth was severly inhibitedby light. GA₃,-induced growth was slightly inhibited by light,and then only at luminous intensities above 50 ft-c. Thus, relativeto H₂O-growth, GA₃-induced growth increased with increasingluminous intensity up to 450 ft-c, where it reached saturation.It seems that a synergism may exist between light and GA₃ aswell as between phlorizin and GA₃. Lactuca sativa L, lettuce, hypocotyl elongation, gibberellic acid, phlorizin, light