Soaking Summer Squash Seeds in Low Concentrations of Cobalt Solution Before Sowing Increased Plant Growth, Femaleness, and Fruit Yield via Increasing Plant Ethylene Level

Soaking summer squash (Cucurbita pepo cv. Eskandarany) seeds in continuously aerated solutions of 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 ppm Co²⁺ for 48 h before sowing strongly increased plant growth, femaleness, and fruit yield compared with those of water- (control) or 0.5 mm AOA (aminooxyacetic acid)-soaked seeds. Following the same pattern, plants of Co²⁺-soaked seeds produced significantly higher ethylene levels as early as the seedling stage (14 days after seed sowing) up to the onset of flower initiation (OFI) stage (30 days after seed sowing), with more pronounced levels of all measured parameters for plants of 1.00 ppm Co²⁺-soaked seeds. Plants of AOA-soaked seeds, however, behaved in a pattern similar to those of control in all measured parameters. The only exception was the significant ethylene inhibition noticed only at the plant seedling stage with AOA-seed soaking, which indicated the short term of AOA inhibition to ethylene when applied as early as the seed germination stage. When AOA was applied foliarly before and at the OFI stage, the increased plant femaleness obtained with Co²⁺ seed soaking was arrested. It is indicated, therefore, that summer squash plant femaleness is more responsive to plant ethylene-modulated levels before or at the OFI stage than earlier stages. Furthermore, all seed soaking treatments had no effect on plant leaf number or plant and fruit Co²⁺ content, which strongly indicated that the positive impact of Co²⁺ on summer squash plant growth and femaleness was mainly the result of the so-called ``low Co²⁺ level-induced ethylene.' The percentage of fruit yield increase reached about 26, 40, and 56% over the control by 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 ppm Co²⁺ seed soaking, respectively, whereas AOA seed soaking resulted in only a 4.5% yield reduction. To ensure the permanent positive impact of Co²⁺ on ethylene production as well as the short period of AOA inhibition, seeds were resoaked in water or AOA for 8 h after being soaked in 1.00 ppm Co²⁺ solution for 40 h. The results obtained emphasized the previous findings because AOA inhibition was restricted on ethylene production only at the seedling stage. Meanwhile, all Co²⁺ positive effects were obtained 2 weeks later, even with AOA seed resoaking. These data strongly suggested that the positive impact of Co²⁺ on ethylene production is more permanent than the negative impact of AOA. Hence its application, in low concentrations, as early as the seed germination stage, strongly increased summer squash plant growth, femaleness, and fruit yield by increasing the plant ethylene level. Received July 21, 1997; accepted November 10, 1997     

Inhibitory Effects of Methyl Jasmonate on the Germination and Ethylene Production in Cocklebur Seeds

Methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) inhibited the germination of cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum Wallr.) seeds. The inhibition of the germination of cocklebur seeds treated with JA-Me at concentrations less than 300 μm was nullified by ethylene applied exogenously, although the inhibitory effect of 1,000 μm JA-Me was not recovered completely even by high concentrations of ethylene (10,000 μL/liter). JA-Me inhibited ethylene production before seed germination. The level of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the cotyledonary tissues treated with JA-Me decreased but not the level of 1-(malonylamino)cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (MACC). JA-Me inhibited the conversion of ACC to ethylene in the tissues. These results suggested that JA-Me inhibits ethylene production by prevention of ACC oxidation in addition to ACC synthesis. We believe that the inhibition of ethylene production by JA-Me results in the retardation of the germination of cocklebur seeds. Received June 4, 1997; accepted October 23, 1997     

Herbicidal activity of the antibiotics geldanamycin and nigericin

Geldanamycin and nigericin, phytotoxic metabolites from a strain ofStreptomyces hygroscopicus, were tested for herbicidal activity and selectivity on a range of crop and weed species. In petri dish bioassays, geldanamycin reduced radicle growth of all species tested, whereas nigericin inhibited 7 of 10. The two compounds in mixture appeared to be additive rather than synergistic in effect. In assays with seeds and seedlings in field soil, geldanamycin showed significant preemergence activity on proso millet, barnyardgrass, garden cress, and giant foxtail. It had no postemergence herbicidal effect on any of the species tested. Nigericin had preemergence activity on garden cress and large crabgrass and postemergence activity on garden cress and velvetleaf. The postemergence effect of nigericin on velvetleaf was especially striking, with leaves showing symptoms of injury within 24–48 h of treatment. Doses as low as 0.3 kg/ha caused damage. The primary herbicidal effect of both compounds was slowing of seed germination or seedling growth, although some plants were killed, especially at higher rates of application. Herbicidal effects were most pronounced for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment and diminished thereafter.     

Iron requirement for and effects of promoters and inhibitors of ethylene action on stimulation of Fe(III)-chelate reductase in roots of strategy I species

Stimulation of root Fe(III) reductase activity by iron additions to iron-deficient growth media may be the result of iron activation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase required for ethylene biosynthesis. Two different ethylene inhibitors, aminooxyacetic acid (AOA) (20 m; ACC synthase inhibitor) and cobalt (3 m CoCl₂; ACC oxidase inhibitor), were used to study the effects of iron supply and cobalt inhibition on ethylene action in controlling the activity of Fe(III)-chelate reductase in pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots. Supplying 20 gm m Fe(III)-N,N-ethylenebis[2-(2-hydroxypheyl)-glycine [Fe(III)-EDDHA] to either cobalt-treated, iron-deficient Sparkle (normal parent) or E107 (brz mutant genotype) pea seedlings reversed the negative effects of cobalt on root Fe(III)-reductase activity. Re-supplying 20 m Fe(III)-EDDHA to iron-deficient, AOA-treated seedlings did not enhance root Fe(III)-reductase. Apparently, cobalt competes with iron for the active site in ACC oxidase during ethylene synthesis. Inhibition of root reductase activity by cobalt treatment lowered manganese, zinc, magnesium and potassium content of mutant E107 pea seedlings. In contrast, iron enhancement of root reductase activity in iron-deficient, cobalt-treated E107 seedlings resulted in higher seedling accumulations of manganese, zinc, magnesium and potassium. These results support the hypothesis that root cell plasma membrane reductase activity plays a role in cation uptake by root cells.     

Potent endogenous allelopathic compounds in Lepidium sativum seed exudate: effects on epidermal cell growth in Amaranthus caudatus seedlings

Many plants exude allelochemicals--compounds that affect the growth of neighbouring plants. This study reports further studies of the reported effect of cress (Lepidium sativum) seed(ling) exudates on seedling growth in Amaranthus caudatus and Lactuca sativa. In the presence of live cress seedlings, both species grew longer hypocotyls and shorter roots than cress-free controls. The effects of cress seedlings were allelopathic and not due to competition for resources. Amaranthus seedlings grown in the presence of cress allelochemical(s) had longer, thinner hypocotyls and shorter, thicker roots--effects previously attributed to lepidimoide. The active principle was more abundant in cress seed exudate than in seedling (root) exudates. It was present in non-imbibed seeds and releasable from heat-killed seeds. Release from live seeds was biphasic, starting rapidly but then continuing gradually for 24 h. The active principle was generated by aseptic cress tissue and was not a microbial digestion product or seed-treatment chemical. Crude seed exudate affected hypocotyl and root growth at ~25 and ~450 μg ml(-1) respectively. The exudate slightly (28%) increased epidermal cell number along the length of the Amaranthus hypocotyl but increased total hypocotyl elongation by 129%; it resulted in a 26% smaller hypocotyl circumference but a 55% greater epidermal cell number counted round the circumference. Therefore, the effect of the allelochemical(s) on organ morphology was imposed primarily by regulation of cell expansion, not cell division. It is concluded that cress seeds exude endogenous substances, probably including lepidimoide, that principally regulate cell expansion in receiver plants.     

Effects of matriconditioning on onion seed germination, seedling emergence and associated physical and metabolic events

The effect of matriconditioning, the physiological presowing seed technique, using Micro-Cel E on Allium cepa L. cv. Czerniakowska seed quality was studied. Several ratios of seeds, carrier, water and time of priming were tested. The most effective treatment for improving onion seed germination at most tested temperatures was priming to a ratio of 2 g seed:1 g Micro-Cel:3 g water for 5 days in light at 15 °C. Matriconditioning greatly improved the germination and emergence percentage, seedling fresh and dry weight and reduced electrolyte leakage compared to that of untreated seeds; this beneficial effect was especially evident at suboptimal temperatures. Matriconditioning improved the germinability of aged seeds, the effect being more pronounced in the more aged seeds. No significant differences in ethylene production by primed and non-primed seeds were observed in the absence of its precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), but its presence during imbibition caused an increase in ethylene production; an enhanced activity of in vivo ACC oxidase in Allium cepa matriconditioned seeds in comparison to untreated seeds, indicates that the endogenous level of ACC is a limiting factor of ethylene production. Likewise, the activity of ACC oxidase isolated from matriconditioned seeds was higher than that from untreated seeds. Higher endo--mannanase and total dehydrogenase activities were observed in primed air-dried seeds in comparing to non-primed seeds.     

Beeinflussung der Anthocyansynthese in Keimlingen von Sinapis alba L. durch α-Methyl-Dl-tryptophan

Summary -methyl-Dl-tryptophan stimulates anthocyanin synthesis in dark grown seedlings of Sinapis alba L. Effective concentrations are between 10^-4 m and 10^-3m. This stimulation is accompanied by an inhibition of root and shoot growth.The induction of anthocyanin synthesis by red light (3×10³ erg cm^-2 sec^-1) is complete after an exposure time of 3 minutes regardless of whether or not the plants were treated with -methyl-Dl-tryptophan.Isonicotinic acid hydrazide inhibits growth of Sinapis alba in a similar manner. It does not affect anthocyanin synthesis.     

Ethylene production by cress roots and excised cress root segments and its inhibition by 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid

Summary 3,5-Diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DIHB) has been shown to exert an inhibitory effect on the formation of ethylene by the roots of intact cress Lepidium sativum seedlings in light, and by excised cress root segments. Adding IAA to the culture solution greatly promoted ethylene production, which was suppressed by DIHB. The findings together with results obtained with dinitrophenol (DNP), L-methionine and L-ethionine and also the horseradish peroxidase/methional system of Yang are discussed.The results indicate that the effect of DIHB in promoting the root growth of cress seedlings in nutrient solution in the light operates, at least in part, by suppressing the formation of the root growth inhibitor ethylene.Abbreviation GLC gas-liquid chromatography - dIHB 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid This study forms part of research to be submitted for PhD degree and supported by a grant from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (México).     

The importance of seed reserves for seedling performance: an integrated approach using morphological,physiological, and stable isotope techniques

To investigate how seed reserves affect early seedling performance, we conducted a factorial greenhouse experiment using Lithocarpus densiflora (Tanoak). Seedlings were grown from large (5.8±0.7 g) and small (3.2±0.4 g) seeds and, following shoot emergence, seeds were either removed or left attached. Seedlings were harvested for quantification of biomass and ¹³C at seven time periods following seed removal (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 days) and seedling photosynthesis was measured three separate time periods (2–4, 49–82, 95–128 days after seed removal). Biomass increased for all seedlings, but the increase was significantly larger for seedlings with attached seeds than with removed seeds. Seed removal just after shoot emergence significantly decreased seedling biomass, but seed removal 64 days after shoot emergence had no effect on seedling biomass. Seedling photosynthesis per unit leaf area varied by time and seed presence, but not by seed size. At the first period, seedlings with attached seeds had significantly higher photosynthetic rates than seedlings with removed seeds, at the second period there was no effect of seed removal, and at the third time period seedlings with attached seeds had significantly lower photosynthetic rates than seedlings with removed seeds. Despite temporal variation in photosynthesis per unit leaf area, seedlings with attached seeds always had significantly greater leaf area than seedlings with removed seeds, resulting in significantly higher total plant photosynthesis at all three time periods. The ¹³C values of both the leaves and roots were more similar to that of the seed for seedlings with attached seeds than for seedlings with removed seeds, however, seed removal and seed size strongly affected root ¹³C. This study demonstrates that seed reserves have important effects on the early growth, physiology, and ¹³C of L. densiflora seedlings.     

Effect of gibberellic acid on photosynthesis and glycollate dehydrogenase in Anacystis nidulans

Gibberellic acid at 10^-4 Mxxx was optimal for enhancement of growth, O₂ evolution, photosystem II and I and the activity of glycollate dehydrogenase of Anacystis nidulans. A stimulatory effect was observed on photosystem II. Other concentrations of gibberellic acid were inhibitory to O₂ evolution and photosystem I. Syntheses of phycocyanin, phycoerythrin and -carotene were significantly enhanced after 48 h incubation with gibberellic acid at 10^-3 Mxxx but the chlorophyll content began to increase 3 h after adding 10^-4 Mxxx gibberellic acid.The author is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.     

Heavy metal-hormone interactions in rice plants: Effects on growth,net photosynthesis,and carbohydrate distribution

The effect of external applications of gibberellins (GA₃) and abscisic acid (ABA) on the growth, carbohydrate content, and net photosynthesis of heavy metal-stressed rice plants (Oryza sativa cv. Bahía) was investigated. Treatment with cadmium (0.1 mm) and nickel (0.5 mm) inhibited rice growth and stimulated carbohydrate accumulation, especially in seeds from which seedlings were developing, stems, and first leaves. The addition of GA₃ (14 m) to the rice culture solution together with Cd or Ni partially reversed the effects of heavy metals, stimulating growth as well as mobilization of carbohydrate reserves in seeds from which seedlings had developed. GA₃ increased the sugar content in roots and second and third leaves and also modified the carbohydrate distribution pattern compared with heavy metal-treated plants. In contrast to GA₃, ABA (19 m) supplied to rice cultures potentiated the effect of heavy metals, inhibiting the growth of young leaves and the translocation of storage products from source to sink organs. In addition, sugars were accumulated in roots and second leaf but not in the third leaf, the extension in length of which was also inhibited by the treatment. Net photosynthesis rates recovered transitorily in Cd-treated plants after the addition of hormones. The possible relationship between growth and carbohydrate distribution, as well as the involvement of hormones, in the response of plant to heavy metal stress is discussed.Abbreviations 5DT 5 days after treatment - 10DT 10 days after treatment - ABA abscisic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - TMC total metabolizable carbohydrates     

Mechanisms associated with tolerance to flooding during germination and early seedling growth in rice (Oryza sativa)

Background and Aims

Flooding slows seed germination, imposes fatalities and delays seedling establishment in direct-seeded rice. This study describes responses of contrasting rice genotypes subjected to flooding or low oxygen stress during germination and discusses the basis of tolerance shown by certain cultivars.

Methods

In one set of experiments, dry seeds were sown in soil and either watered normally or flooded with 10 cm of water. Seedling survival and shoot and root growth were assessed and seed portions of germinating seedlings were assayed for soluble sugars and starch concentrations. The whole germinating seedlings were assayed for amylase and peroxidase activities and for ethylene production. Activities of enzymes associated with anaerobic respiration were examined and gene expression was analysed separately with seeds germinating under different amounts of dissolved oxygen in dilute agar.

Key Results

Flooding during germination reduced survival but to a lesser extent in tolerant genotypes. Starch concentration in germinating seeds decreased while sugar concentration increased under flooding, but more so in tolerant genotypes. Amylase activity correlated positively with elongation (r = 0·85 for shoot and 0·83 for root length) and with plant survival (r = 0·92). Tolerant genotypes had higher amylase activity and higher RAmy3D gene expression. Ethylene was not detected in seeds within 2 d after sowing, but increased thereafter, with a greater increase in tolerant genotypes starting 3 d after sowing. Peroxidase activity was higher in germinating seeds of sensitive genotypes and correlated negatively with survival.

Conclusions

Under low oxygen stress, tolerant genotypes germinate, grow faster and more seedlings survive. They maintain their ability to use stored starch reserves through higher amylase activity and anaerobic respiration, have higher rates of ethylene production and lower peroxidase activity as germinating seeds and as seedlings. Relevance of these traits to tolerance of flooding during germination and early growth is discussed.Key words: Amylase, anoxia, crop establishment, direct-seeded rice, ethylene, flooding, germination, hypoxia, Oryza sativa     

Ethylene Interacts with Auxin in Regulating Developmental Attenuation of Gravitropism in Flax Root

Previous research shows that gravity-sensing in flax (Linum usitatissimum) root is initiated during seed imbibition and precedes root emergence. In this study we investigated the developmental attenuation of flax root gravitropism post-germination and the involvement of ethylene. Gravity response deteriorated significantly from 3 to 11?h after root emergence, which occurred at around 19?h after imbibition (that is, from “age” 22 to 30?h). Although the root elongation rate increased from 22 to 30?h, the gravitropic curving rate declined steadily. Older roots were able to tolerate higher levels of exogenous IAA before inhibition of elongation and gravitropism occurred. The age-dependent effect of IAA on root growth and gravitropism suggests that young roots are more sensitive to auxin and respond to a smaller vertical auxin gradient than older roots upon horizontal gravistimulation. The ethylene synthesis inhibitor AVG (2-aminoethoxyvinyl glycine, 10?μM) or ethylene action inhibitor Ag⁺ (10?μM) stimulated gravitropic curvature of 30?h roots by 24 and 32%, respectively, but had no effect on 22?h roots, suggesting that as roots age, ethylene begins to play a role in root gravitropism. The auxin transport inhibitor NPA (N-naphthylphthalamic acid, 50?μM) reduced gravitropic curvature of 30?h roots by 24% but had no effect on 22?h roots. On the other hand, treating roots simultaneously with the auxin transport inhibitor and ethylene synthesis or action inhibitor stimulated gravitropic curvature of 30?h roots but not 22?h roots. Taken together, these data indicate that as roots develop, their weakened gravity response is due to decreased auxin sensitivity and possibly auxin transport regulated by ethylene.     

Isolation of ACC deaminase producing PGPR from rice rhizosphere and evaluating their plant growth promoting activity under salt stress

Aims

Bacteria possessing ACC deaminase activity reduce the level of stress ethylene conferring resistance and stimulating growth of plants under various biotic and abiotic stresses. The present study aims at isolating efficient ACC deaminase producing PGPR strains from the rhizosphere of rice plants grown in coastal saline soils and quantifying the effect of potent PGPR isolates on rice seed germination and seedling growth under salinity stress and ethylene production from rice seedlings inoculated with ACC deaminase containing PGPR.

Methods

Soils from root region of rice growing in coastal soils of varying salinity were used for isolating ACC deaminase producing bacteria and three bacterial isolates were identified following polyphasic taxonomy. Seed germination, root growth and stress ethylene production in rice seedlings following inoculation with selected PGPR under salt stress were quantified.

Results

Inoculation with selected PGPR isolates had considerable positive impacts on different growth parameters of rice including germination percentage, shoot and root growth and chlorophyll content as compared to uninoculated control. Inoculation with the ACC deaminase producing strains reduced ethylene production under salinity stress.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of rhizobacteria containing ACC deaminase for enhancing salt tolerance and consequently improving the growth of rice plants under salt-stress conditions.     

Hormones are no causal links in phytochrome-mediated adventitious root formation in mustard seedlings (Sinapis alba L.)

The question of whether or not hormones are causal links in the realization of phytochrome control during photomorphogenesis was investigated using the phytochrome-dependent formation of adventitious roots in hypocotyl cuttings excised from mustard seedlings as a test system. Histological examination of regenerating rest seedlings revealed that phytochrome (operationally, continuous far-red light) mediates the de novo formation of root primordia in the pericycle region of the hypocotyl near the cutting surface withing 12–24 h after excision.Auxin (IAA), gibberellin (GA₃), Cytokinin (kinetin), abscisic acid (ABA), and ethylene had no promotive effect on primordium formation in dark-grown or far-red irradiated rest seedlings. Depending on concentration, the application of these hormones was either ineffective or inhibitory in the rooting response. It is concluded that phytochrome does not operate through changes of hormone (auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ABA, ethylene) levels.While externally applied ethylene had no specific effect on primordium formation, the number of primordia produced in darkness could be increased to the far-red light level by removing the endogenously formed ethylene. Since the stimulatory effect of light could not be related to a lower ethylene level, it is concluded that ethylene interferes with primordium formation by modulating the susceptibility of this process to phytochrome control. This ethylene effect takes place in a concentration range below the range that can be manipulated by external application of the hormone.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - P_r P_fr red and far-red absorbing forms of phytochrome     

The effect of ammonium ions on uptake of glutamine and other amino compounds by cultured cells of rapeseed

Rooting responses and ethylene production by hypocotyl cuttings from etiolated mung-bean seedlings treated with the auxins -naphthaleneacetic acid, -(indole-3)-n-butyric acid (IBA) and 2,4,5-trichloro-phenoxypropionic acid were determined. There was no relationship between the abilities of the auxins to induce root formation and their capacities for inducing ethylene production. Studies with mixtures of 3-indoleacetic acid, a poor stimulator of rooting but an effective inducer of ethylene production, and IBA, an effective rooting stimulator but a poor inducer of ethylene production, exposure of cuttings to ethylene or (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (Ethephon), hypobaric storage (150 mb) of treated cuttings, and exposure of auxin-treated cuttings to 7% CO₂ also indicated that ethylene is not directly involved in initiation of adventitious roots in this plant material.Abbreviations IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA -(indole-3)-n-butyric acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - 2,4,5-TP 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic acid     

Interactions between abscisic acid and ethylene signaling cascades

We screened for mutations that either enhanced or suppressed the abscisic acid (ABA)-resistant seed germination phenotype of the Arabidopsis abi1-1 mutant. Alleles of the constitutive ethylene response mutant ctr1 and ethylene-insensitive mutant ein2 were recovered as enhancer and suppressor mutations, respectively. Using these and other ethylene response mutants, we showed that the ethylene signaling cascade defined by the ETR1, CTR1, and EIN2 genes inhibits ABA signaling in seeds. Furthermore, epistasis analysis between ethylene- and ABA-insensitive mutations indicated that endogenous ethylene promotes seed germination by decreasing sensitivity to endogenous ABA. In marked contrast to the situation in seeds, ein2 and etr1-1 roots were resistant to both ABA and ethylene. Our data indicate that ABA inhibition of root growth requires a functional ethylene signaling cascade, although this inhibition is apparently not mediated by an increase in ethylene biosynthesis. These results are discussed in the context of the other hormonal regulations controlling seed germination and root growth.     

4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acid promotes root elongation in Lactuca sativa independent of ethylene synthesis and pH

We studied the mode of action of 4,4,4-trifluoro-3- (indole-3-) butyric acid (TFIBA), a recently described root growth stimulator, on primary root growth of Lactuca sativa L. seedlings. TFIBA (100 µ M ) promoted elongation of primary roots by 40% in 72 h but inhibited hypocotyl growth by 35%. TFIBA induced root growth was independent of pH. TFIBA did not affect ethylene production, but reduced the inhibitory effect of ethylene on root elongation. TFIBA promoted root growth even in the presence of the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor l - α -(2-aminoethoxyvinyl)glycine. TFIBA and the ethylene-binding inhibitor silver thiosulphate (STS) had a similar effect on root elongation. The results indicate that TFIBA-stimulated root elongation was neither pH-dependent nor related to inhibition of ethylene synthesis, but was possibly related to ethylene action.     

Herbicidal activity of the antibiotics geldanamycin and nigericin

Geldanamycin and nigericin, phytotoxic metabolites from a strain ofStreptomyces hygroscopicus, were tested for herbicidal activity and selectivity on a range of crop and weed species. In petri dish bioassays, geldanamycin reduced radicle growth of all species tested, whereas nigericin inhibited 7 of 10. The two compounds in mixture appeared to be additive rather than synergistic in effect. In assays with seeds and seedlings in field soil, geldanamycin showed significant preemergence activity on proso millet, barnyardgrass, garden cress, and giant foxtail. It had no postemergence herbicidal effect on any of the species tested. Nigericin had preemergence activity on garden cress and large crabgrass and postemergence activity on garden cress and velvetleaf. The postemergence effect of nigericin on velvetleaf was especially striking, with leaves showing symptoms of injury within 24–48 h of treatment. Doses as low as 0.3 kg/ha caused damage. The primary herbicidal effect of both compounds was slowing of seed germination or seedling growth, although some plants were killed, especially at higher rates of application. Herbicidal effects were most pronounced for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment and diminished thereafter.Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station journal article no. 13012.     

The effects of 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid on the oxidation of IAA and auxin-induced ethylene production by cress root segments

Summary In previous research here, 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DIHB) was shown to promote the elongation of roots of cress (Lepidium sativum) seedlings growing in light, and to inhibit the auxin-induced production of ethylene in this tissue. Although DIHB is a cofactor for the oxidation of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by horse-radish peroxidase, it inhibits the decarboxylation of [1-¹⁴C]IAA by segments excised from cress roots. The inhibition by DIHB of ethylene production by this tissue does not, therefore, arise from a reduction of IAA levels. These findings are discussed in relation to the effects of DIHB on cress root growth.Abbreviations IAA indole-3-acetic acid - DIHB 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzoic acid - DCP 2,4-dichlorophenol - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid This study forms part of a research project to be submitted by M.L.R. for PhD degree and supported by a grant from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (México).