Hormones in the grains and roots in relation to post-anthesis development of inferior and superior spikelets in japonica/indica hybrid rice

Grain filling is usually not adequate in later-flowering inferior spikelets in japonica/indica (J/I) hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) although it shows stronger hybrid vigor than indica/indica (I/I) hybrid. This study investigated the potential causes by examining changes in zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins (GAs, GA₁ + GA₄), and abscisic acid (ABA) in spikelets and roots during the grain filling period. The inferior spikelets of J/I hybrid exhibited low rate of endosperm cell division and slow grain filling. During the early grain filing period, they had less Z + ZR, IAA, and ABA, but more GAs, than the earlier-flowering superior spikelets. If compared to the inferior spikelets of the I/I hybrid, the J/I inferior spikelets also had less Z + ZR, IAA, and ABA. Rates of endosperm cell division and grain filling were positively and significantly correlated with Z + ZR and ABA contents in both grains and roots or IAA in grains, whereas not significantly correlated with GAs either in grains or roots or IAA in roots. Applications of kinetin, IAA, or ABA to spikelets, or kinetin and ABA to roots, enhanced cell division and grain filling in the inferior spikelets. Results suggest that low contents of cytokinins and ABA in both grains and roots and low contents of IAA in grains may result in the poor filling of inferior spikelets in the J/I hybrid.     

Hormones in the grains in relation to sink strength and postanthesis development of spikelets in rice

Inferior spikelets usually exhibit a slower grain filling rate and lower grain weight than superior spikelets in a rice (Oryza sativa L.) panicle. This study investigated whether the variations in grain filling between the two kinds of spikelets were attributed to their sink strength and whether the sink strength was regulated by the hormonal levels in the grains. Using two field-grown rice genotypes, the division rate of endosperm cells, hormonal levels in the grains, and grain weight of both superior and inferior spikelets were determined during the grain filling period. The results showed that superior spikelets had dominance over inferior spikelets in endosperm cell division rate and cell number, grain filling and grain weight. Changes in zeatin (Z) and zeatin riboside (ZR) contents paralleled and were very significantly correlated with the cell division rate and cell number. Cell division rate and the content of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the grains were also significantly correlated. Gibberellin (GAs; GA₁+ GA₄) content of the grains was high but ABA levels were low at the early grain filling stage. ABA increased substantially during the linear phase of grain growth and was very significantly correlated with grain dry weight during this period. Application of kinetin at 2 through 6 days post anthesis (DPA) significantly increased cell number, while spraying ABA at 11 through 15 DPA significantly increased the grain filling rate. The results suggest that differences in sink strength are responsible for variations in grain filling between superior and inferior spikelets. Both cytokinins and IAA in the grains may mediate cell division in rice endosperm at early grain filling stages, and therefore regulate the sink size of the grain, whereas ABA content correlates with sink activity during the linear period of grain growth.     

The Relationship between Polyamines and Hormones in the Regulation of Wheat Grain Filling

The grain weight of wheat is strongly influenced by filling. Polyamines (PA) are involved in regulating plant growth. However, the effects of PA on wheat grain filling and its mechanism of action are unclear. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between PAs and hormones in the regulation of wheat grain filling. Three PAs, spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm), and putrescine (Put), were exogenously applied, and the grain filling characteristics and changes in endogenous PA and hormones, i.e., indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR), abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene (ETH) and gibberellin 1+4 (GAs), were quantified during wheat grain filling. Exogenous applications of Spd and Spm significantly increased the grain filling rate and weight, but exogenous Put had no significant effects on these measures. Exogenous Spd and Spm significantly increased the endogenous Spd, Spm, Z+ZR, ABA, and IAA contents and significantly decreased ETH evolution in grains. The endogenous Spd, Spm and Z+ZR contents were positively and significantly correlated with the grain filling rate and weight of wheat, and the endogenous ETH evolution was negatively and significantly correlated with the wheat grain filling rate and weight. Based upon these results, we concluded that PAs were involved in the balance of hormones that regulated the grain filling of wheat.     

Involvement of polyamines in the post-anthesis development of inferior and superior spikelets in rice

Early-flowered superior spikelets usually exhibit a faster grain filling rate and heavier grain weight than late-flowered inferior spikelets in rice (Oryza sativa L.). But the intrinsic factors responsible for the variations between the two types of spikelets are unclear. This study investigated whether and how polyamines (PAs) are involved in regulating post-anthesis development of rice spikelets. Six rice genotypes differing in grain filling rate were field grown, and PA levels and activities of the enzymes involved in PA biosynthesis were measured in both superior and inferior spikelets. The results showed that superior spikelets exhibited higher levels of free spermidine (Spd) and free spermine (Spm) and higher activities of arginine decarboxylase (ADC, EC 4.1.1.19), S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC, EC 4.1.1.50) and Spd synthase (EC 2.5.1.16) than inferior spikelets at the early endosperm cell division and grain filling stage. The maximum concentrations of free Spd and free Spm and the maximum activities of ADC, SAMDC and Spd synthase were significantly correlated with the maximum cell division and grain filling rates, maximum cell number and grain weight. Application of Spd and Spm to panicles resulted in significantly higher rates of endosperm cell division and grain filling in inferior spikelets along with the activities of sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13), ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.27) and soluble starch synthase (EC 2.4.1.21), suggesting that these PAs are involved in the sucrose-starch metabolic pathway. The results indicate that the poor development of inferior spikelets is attributed, at least partly, to the low PA level and its low biosynthetic activity.     

Polyamine and ethylene interactions in grain filling of superior and inferior spikelets of rice

This study was to test the hypothesis that polyamines (PAs) and ethylene and their interactions may be involved in mediating the post-anthesis development of spikelets in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Six rice cultivars differing in grain filling rate were field-grown, and the changing patterns of PAs and ethylene levels in rice spikelets during the filling and their relations with grain filling rates were investigated. The results showed that inferior spikelets had much greater ethylene evolution rate and 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) concentration than superior spikelets. Opposite to ethylene production, superior spikelets showed much higher free-spermidine (Spd) and free-spermine (Spm) concentrations than inferior spikelets. Grain filling rate was very significantly and negatively correlated with ethylene evolution rate and ACC concentration, whereas positively correlated with free-Spd and free-Spm concentrations and with the ratio of free-Spd or free-Spm to ACC. Application of Spd, Spm, or aminoethoxyvinylglycine (an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis by inhibiting ACC synthesis) to panicles at the early grain filling stage significantly reduced ethylene evolution rate and ACC concentration, while significantly increased Spd and Spm concentrations, grain filling rate and grain weight of inferior spikelets. Application of ACC, ethephon (an ethylene-releasing agent), or methylglyoxal-bis (guanylhydrazone) (an inhibitor of Spd and Spm synthesis) showed the opposite effects. The results suggest that antagonistic interactions between PAs (Spd and Spm) and ethylene may be involved in mediating grain filling. A higher ratio of free-Spd or free-Spm to ethylene in rice spikelets could enhance grain filling.     

Grain filling pattern and cytokinin content in the grains and roots of rice plants

Grain filling patterns and their relationships withzeatin (Z), zeatin riboside (ZR), indole-3-acetic acid(IAA) and gibberellin (GA) contents in the grains androots during grain development were examined in sixrice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes grown in thefield and in water culture. Three grain fillingpatterns based on the filling rate of superior andinferior spikelets were observed, i.e., fastsynchronous: all spikelets started filling early andfast at the early filling stage; slowsynchronous: all spikelets filled slowly at the earlyfilling stage and reached the maximum filling ratelate; and asynchronous: superior spikeletsstarted filling and reached the maximum filling ratemuch earlier than the inferior ones. The order ofgrain filling percentage in the three types of grainfilling patterns was: fast synchronous >asynchronous > slow synchronous. Changes in Z + ZRcontents in the superior and inferior spikelets wereassociated with the grain filling patterns. Grainfilling percentage was significantly correlated withZ + ZR contents in the grains and roots at the earlyand middle grain filling stages. IAA and GA(GA¹ + GA³ + GA⁴)contents in the grains and roots were notsignificantly correlated with grain fillingpercentage. The results suggest that cytokinins in thegrains and roots during the early phase of graindevelopment play an important role in regulating grainfilling pattern and consequently influence grainfilling percentage.     

重穗型杂交水稻籽粒灌浆过程中强势和弱势颖花内源IAA、ABA和GA水平的动态状况

研究了重穗型杂交水稻培矮 6 4s/E3 2的灌浆过程和强、弱势颖花中内源IAA、ABA和GA1 GA3水平的动态状况。籽粒发育过程中不同内源激素水平高低依次为 :IAA >GA1 GA3>ABA。IAA和ABA水平在强势颖花中较高而GA1 GA3水平在弱势颖花中较高。 3种激素水平的变化与谷粒增重速率之间均存在正相关 ,两个最高的相关系数值分别存在于单位鲜重样本的IAA含量(ng/gFW ) 与籽粒鲜重的增重速率之间 (r =0 .82 1 8 )和单个籽粒IAA含量 (ng/grain)与籽粒干重的增重速率之间 (r =0 .8485 )。推测启动和维持籽粒灌浆过程可能需要较高的IAA水平 ;ABA可能具有促进籽粒中同化物的累积和种子成熟的作用 ;GA1 GA3可能具有保持弱势颖花活性的特殊作用     

重穗型杂交水稻籽粒灌浆过程中强势和强势颖花内源IAA、ABA和GA水平的动态状况

研究了重穗型杂交水稻培矮 6 4s/E3 2的灌浆过程和强、弱势颖花中内源IAA、ABA和GA1 GA3水平的动态状况。籽粒发育过程中不同内源激素水平高低依次为 :IAA >GA1 GA3>ABA。IAA和ABA水平在强势颖花中较高而GA1 GA3水平在弱势颖花中较高。 3种激素水平的变化与谷粒增重速率之间均存在正相关 ,两个最高的相关系数值分别存在于单位鲜重样本的IAA含量(ng/gFW ) 与籽粒鲜重的增重速率之间 (r =0 .82 1 8 )和单个籽粒IAA含量 (ng/grain)与籽粒干重的增重速率之间 (r =0 .8485 )。推测启动和维持籽粒灌浆过程可能需要较高的IAA水平 ;ABA可能具有促进籽粒中同化物的累积和种子成熟的作用 ;GA1 GA3可能具有保持弱势颖花活性的特殊作用     

UV-B 辐射对番茄花粉生活力的影响与内源激素和多胺的关系

以成熟期不同的两个番茄品种同辉(早熟型)和霞光(晚熟型)为试材, 模拟兰州地区12%和20%臭氧层减薄时增强的UVB辐射(分别为T1=2.54 KJ.m-2.d-1和T2=4.25 KJ.m-2.d-1), 研究了大田条件下增强UV-B辐射对其花粉生活力的影响以及雄蕊中4种内源激素(IAA、GAs、ZR和ABA)和多胺(Put、Spm和Spd)及脯氨酸的变化。结果表明: 辐射抑制了同辉的花粉萌发和花粉管伸长, 但只降低了霞光的花粉萌发率; 两种辐射明显降低了两品种番茄雄蕊中的GAs含量, 同时造成同辉雄蕊中Put和Spd含量明显增加, Spm和Put/Spd+Spm比值显著降低; 霞光中3种多胺含量都显著减少, 导致高辐射时Put/Spd+Spm比值上升; 同辉番茄雄蕊的脯氨酸含量不受影响, 但高辐射使霞光番茄雄蕊的脯氨酸含量降低。实验表明, 两品种番茄花粉生活力的变化与增强UV-B 辐射下雄蕊中GAs水平、Spm含量以及脯氨酸含量的减少有关。雄蕊中多胺和脯氨酸含量变化对UVB辐射的响应说明霞光品种对UV-B辐射更敏感。     

Interactions between polyamines and ethylene during grain filling in wheat grown under water deficit conditions

This study was to test the hypothesis that polyamines (PAs) and ethylene may be involved in mediating the effect of water deficit on grain filling. Two wheat cultivars, drought-tolerant Shannong16 (SN16) and drought-sensitive Jimai22 (JM22), were used and subjected to well-watered and severe water deficit (SD) during grain filling. SD reduced the weight of superior and inferior grains, by 7.38 and 23.54 % in JM22, 13.8 and 2.2 % in SN16, respectively. Higher free-spermidine (Spd) and free-spermine (Spm) concentration and lower free-putrescine (Put) concentration, ethylene evolution rate (EER) and 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) concentration were found in superior grains than those in inferior ones. Opposite to the variations of Spd and Spm concentration, ACC, Put concentration and EER were significantly increased under SD. The percentage variation of PAs and ACC differed with cultivars and grain types. ACC concentration of superior and inferior grains under SD increased significantly at 21 days post-anthesis, by 90 and 164 % in JM22, 65 and 13.2 % in SN16, respectively. The equivalent value of Put concentration was 1.04 and 7.9 % in JM22, 34.4 and 10.3 % in SN16. Spd concentration of superior grains showed a higher decrease than that of inferior ones in both cultivars, while Spm exhibited an opposite trend between both grain types. These percentage variations were highly consistent with the differed responses of weight of both grain types to SD in JM22 and SN16. Grain filling rate was negatively correlated with EER and ACC concentration, while positively correlated with Spd and Spm concentration as well as the ratio of Spd or Spm to ACC. Exogenous Spd or aminoethoxyvinylglycine (an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis by inhibiting ACC synthesis) obviously reduced ACC concentration and EER and increased Spd and Spm concentration, while exogenous ethephon (an ethylene-releasing agent) or methylglyoxal-bis (an inhibitor of Spd and Spm synthesis) showed the opposite effects. The results suggested that it would be good for wheat to have the physiological traits of higher Spd and Spm, as well as a higher Spd/ACC or Spm/ACC, under SD.     

Post-anthesis development of inferior and superior spikelets in rice in relation to abscisic acid and ethylene

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the interaction between abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene may be involved in mediating the post-anthesis development of spikelets in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Two rice genotypes were field-grown, and the changes of ABA, ethylene, and 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) levels in spikelets during grain filling and their relationships with endosperm-division and grain-filling rates were investigated. The results showed that earlier-flowering superior spikelets exerted dominance over later-flowering inferior spikelets in endosperm cell-division and grain-filling rates. The two genotypes behaved the same. Later-flowering spikelets had higher levels of ethylene and ACC than earlier-flowering spikelets. The ethylene evolution rate was significantly and negatively correlated with the cell division and grain filling rates. By contrast to ethylene, later-flowering spikelets contained a lower ABA content/concentration and showed a low content ratio of ABA to ACC than earlier-flowering ones. The cell-division and grain-filling rates were significantly and positively correlated with both ABA contents and the ratio of ABA to ACC. Application of cobalt ion (inhibitor of ethylene synthesis) or ABA at an early grain-filling stage significantly increased endosperm cell division rate and cell number, grain-filling rate, and grain weight of inferior spikelets. Application of ethephon (an ethylene-releasing agent) or fluridone (an inhibitor of carotenoid synthesis) had the opposite effect. The results suggest that antagonistic interactions between ABA and ethylene mediate endosperm cell-division and grain-filling in rice. A higher ratio of ABA to ethylene in rice spikelets is required to maintain a faster grain-filling rate.     

南方红豆杉种子综合处理过程中内源激素的动态变化

为揭示南方红豆杉种子内源激素与休眠的关系,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定了经过层积处理的种皮和胚乳的脱落酸(ABA)、赤霉素(GA3 )、吲哚乙酸(IAA)、玉米素核苷(ZR)4种内源激素含量的变化情况.结果表明:种子胚乳中内源ABA的含量随着层积时间的延长而逐渐下降,GA含量增加,IAA和ZR的含量先增加后降低...     

Correlation of cytokinin levels in the endosperms and roots with cell number and cell division activity during endosperm development in rice

Cell number and cell division activity in rice (Oryza sativa) endosperms are possibly regulated by cytokinin levels in the endosperm and its source in the roots. This study tried to find the possible correlations among them. Six rice genotypes were grown in nutrient solution. Two patterns of endosperm cell division, synchronous and asynchronous, were observed among the genotypes based on the cell division rate of superior and inferior spikelets. Contents of zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR) were much higher than those of N6-isopentenyladenine (iP) and N6-isopentenyladenosine (iPR) in both endosperms and roots. Changes in Z + ZR levels in endosperms were significantly correlated with those in roots, and both were very significantly correlated with the cell division rate. Changes in iP + iPR contents in the roots were not significantly correlated with those in the endosperms and the cell division rate. When roots were treated with kinetin, endosperm cell number and grain weight were increased. Such enhancement was more significantly achieved by the root kinetin treatment than by spraying kinetin on leaves and panicles. The results suggest that the cell number and cell division activity in rice endosperms are regulated by cytokinin levels in the endosperm and that root-derived Z + ZR play a pivotal role.     

Abscisic acid promotes accumulation of toxin ODAP in relation to free spermine level in grass pea seedlings (Lathyrus sativus L.).

Interrelationship among abscisic acid (ABA) content, accumulation of free polyamines and biosynthesis of beta-N-oxalyl-l-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) was studied in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) seedlings under drought stress induced by 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG6000). Increase of ABA content occurred prior to that of ODAP and polyamine contents, and was found significantly positive correlation between ABA content and ODAP content. Addition of exogenous ABA increased ODAP content in leaves. On the other hand, pretreatment with alpha-difluoromethylarginine (DFMA), a polyamine biosynthesis inhibitor, significantly suppressed the accumulation of free putrescine (Put), free spermidine (Spd) and free spermine (Spm), which in turn inhibited biosynthesis of ODAP in well-watered leaves. Meanwhile, addition of exogenous Put alleviated DFMA-induced inhibition on the biosynthesis of Put and Spd, but did not affect the biosynthesis of Spm and ODAP in well-watered leaves. Same result was also achieved in drought-stressed leaves. Increasing accumulation of ODAP was significantly correlated with increasing Spm content (R=0.7957**) but not with that of Spd and Put. Therefore, it can be argued that ABA stimulated the biosynthesis of ODAP simultaneously with increasing the level of free Spm under drought stress condition.     

蝴蝶兰成花过程中叶片内源激素与多胺含量的变化动态

以苗龄18~20个月的蝴蝶兰(Phalaenopsis)成熟苗为试材,通过夜温17℃/日温27℃处理诱导其成花,并研究蝴蝶兰成花过程中,叶片内源激素及多胺含量的变化动态。结果显示:低温诱导蝴蝶兰成花的临界期为第15d,芽重、内源激素和多胺含量均在第15d出现明显的消长规律;较低含量GA₃、ABA,高含量ZR、Spd,高比值ZR/GA₃、ZR/ABA和Spd/Put状态有利于成花;相对高含量的内源ZR是成花的关键因素;内源多胺与激素含量动态具有关联效应。     

Dynamic Changes of Endogenous Phytohormones During the Development of Embryos Derived from Wheat Crossed with Zea mays and Tripsacum dactyloides

The embryos derived from intergeneric crosses between Triticum aestivum L. (2n = 6x= 42) and Zea mays L. (2n= 20), Tripsacum dactyloides L. (2n= 4x= 72), as results of the elimination of paternal chromosome and having no endosperm as normal, are difficult to develop completely in vivo. Hormonal analyses in such intergeneric hybridized ovaries have been carried out including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin (Z) and zeatin riboside (ZR), and abscisic acid (ABA) during different developmental stages of embryo. The results indicated that IAA level in hybridized ovaries was much lower than that in self-pollinated ovaries. Moreover, the active changes of Z+ZR and ABA contents were also different between the above two types of ovary. Nevertheless, the ratio changes of IAA/(Z+ZR) and IAA/ABA were similar between the two types of ovary, the same was true in the ratio changs of IAA, Z+ZR, and ABA to the sum of these three types of endogenous hormones. But the three types of ratios in hybridized ovaries were varied far more greater than those in self-pollinated ones. It suggested the importance to maintain dynamic equilibrium of multiple hormones and sequential regulation during the embryo development. That the distantly hybridized embryos failed to mature successfully was probably associated with a deviation from the normal changes of endogenous hormones levels and balance system of multiple hormones in addition to the lack of endosperm nourishment.     

小麦与玉米及鸭茅状摩擦禾杂交后胚发育过程中内源激素的动态变化

小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍ ａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ Ｌ．）与玉米（Ｚｅａ ｍ ａｙｓＬ．）及鸭茅状摩擦禾（Ｔｒｉｐｓａｃｕｍ ｄａｃｔｙｌｏｉｄｅｓ Ｌ．）杂交后,由于胚乳组织不能正常形成,从而导致胚很难在母本小麦植株上发育至成熟。通过对杂交后的胚不同发育时期的子房内源ＩＡＡ、玉米素（Ｚ）及玉米素核苷（ＺＲ）和ＡＢＡ 的ＥＬＩＳＡ 分析,发现远缘杂交后的胚发育过程中子房内源ＩＡＡ 的浓度明显低于正常发育的子房;而且Ｚ＋ ＺＲ 和ＡＢＡ 的含量的动态变化也和正常自交发育的子房不同,然而ＩＡＡ／（Ｚ＋ ＺＲ）和ＩＡＡ／ＡＢＡ 的比率变化在远缘杂交与正常自交的子房之间有某些相似趋势。ＩＡＡ、Ｚ＋ ＺＲ和ＡＢＡ 与这３ 种激素之和的比率变化在上述两类子房中也有相似之处。可以推断,植物胚胎的正常发育需要多种激素的动态平衡及某一时期某一激素的主导性作用。远缘杂交后的胚之所以不能够顺利发育至成熟,除了缺乏胚乳组织的营养保护之外,或许也和其内源激素的水平及多激素平衡体系偏离常规动态变化有关联     

多胺对菊花激素含量与花芽分化的影响

以切花菊（Dendranthema morifolium）品种‘神马’为试材,外源喷施0．1mmol·L-1的亚精胺（Spd）与多胺合成抑制剂D-精氨酸（D．Arg）,转入昼10h／夜14h的短日条件下进行开花诱导,测定不同花芽分化时期顶芽内源多胺[腐胺（Put）、亚精胺（Spd）、精胺（spm）]和几种激素[生长素（IAA）、玉米素核苷（ZR）、异戊烯基腺苷（iPA）、赤霉素（GA）]含量的动态变化,分析多胺对激素和花芽分化的作用关系。结果表明,外源多胺和多胺合成抑制剂能够显著影响顶芽内源多胺（Put、Spd、Spm）和激素（IAA、ZR、iPA、GA）的含量,顶芽内高水平多胺有利于菊花花芽分化的启动和保持;外源多胺及多胺合成抑制剂可能通过影响内源多胺含量从而影响内源激素或者直接影响内源激素和内源多胺,进而调控花芽分化：内源Put与IAA关系密切,高水平的内源Put不利于IAA的积累;ZR和iPA含量与内源多胺总量的变化趋势一致;外源多胺及多胺合成抑制剂对GA的影响主要在花序分化期和小花分化期,且高水平的内源Spd和Put不利于GA的积累。     

Abscisic acid increases the content of free polyamines and delays mitotic activity induced by spermine in isolated embryonic axes of chick-pea seeds

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on the free polyamine: spermine (Spm), spermidine (Spd), putrescine (Put) and cadaverine (Cad) content, mitotic index (MI) and DNA synthesis have been studied in embryonic axes isolated from chick-pea ( Cicer ariennum L.) seeds. Spermine and spermidine decreased in controls during the first 24 h of germination, the former by 70% and the latter by 20%. This decrease was slowed down by ABA (5 μ M or 25 μ M ) in response to its concentration; at 24 h the values for Spm and Spd were 3-fold and 1.5-fold those of the controls, respectively. Exogenous ABA induced the synthesis of Put from 0 to 24 h, by which time the content of this polyamine had doubled. The controls at 24 h registered the same Put content as those with 25 μ M ABA, suggesting that ABA had ceased to induce Put synthesis. The pattern for cadaverine ABA-induced synthesis was similar to that of Put. From 18 to 24 h, however, the level of Cad in the controls was 3 times higher than in the treatments. The mitotic index in meristem cells reached a maximum at 30–36 h, when cell elongation stopped in the sub-apical region. This maximum was lowered by exogenous ABA in response to the concentration and occurred 12 h earlier in the presence of Spm (0.1–1.0 m M ), which induced high MI levels during the period studied. With 10 m M Spm, two complete waves of mitosis were observed, but when Spm and ABA were added together, the tetramine had no observable effect. Spermine stimulated ³H-thymidine uptake as well as DNA synthesis, with a maximum at 12 h, but did not counteract the inhibitory effect of ABA. Our results suggest that ABA causes changes in mitotic activity that Spm cannot overcome.