Identification of Endogenous Gibberellins in Dormant Bulbils of Chinese Yam, Dioscorea opposita

It is known that dormancy of the genus Dioscorea is induced by application of gibberellin (GA) A₃. To understand the role of GAs in dormancy induction, endogenous GAs have been identified by Kovats retention indices and full mass spectra from capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of purified extract from dormant bulbils of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. These include GA₄, GA₉, GA₁₂, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, GA₂₄, GA₃₆, and GA₅₃; their presence suggests the occurrence of two biosynthetic pathways in D. opposita bulbils, the early 13-hydroxylation pathway and the non-13-hydroxylation pathway.     

Thermoperiodic control of stem elongation and endogenous gibberellins in Campanula isophylla

The effect of day/night temperature regimes on stem elongation and on the content of endogenous gibberellins (GAs) in vegetatively propagated plants of Campanula isophylla cv. Hvit have been studied. Compared with a constant temperature regime at 18°C (18/18°C), stem and internode elongation was enhanced significantly by a combination of high day/low night temperature (21/15°C) and inhibited by an opposite regime (15/21°C). Gibberellins A₁, A₁₉, A₄₄, A₅₃, and A₉₇ were identified as endogenous components in Campanula. (GA₉₇ was earlier referred to as 2-OH-GA₅₃.) Quantitative analysis of the endogenous GAs indicates that temperature regimes that stimulate elongation growth are accompanied by an increase in the level of GA₁, GA₁₉, and GA₄₄. On the other hand, in plants grown under conditions that reduced stem elongation growth, there was an increased level of GA₉₇.Abbreviations DIF difference between day temperature and night temperature - GA gibberellin - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass chromatography - SPE solid phase extraction - TMS trimethylsilyl - MSTFA N-methyl-N-TMS-trifluoroacetamide - KRI Kovats retention index - SIM selected ion monitoring - D2 deuterated     

A Developmental Pattern of Flowering in Colored <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zantedeschia</Emphasis> spp.: Effects of Bud Position and Gibberellin

The restricted flowering of colored cultivars ofZantedeschia is a consequence of developmental constraints imposed by apical dominance of the primary bud on secondary buds in the tuber, and by the sympodial growth of individual shoots. GA₃ enhances flowering inZantedeschia by increasing the number of flowering shoots per tuber and inflorescences per shoot. The effects of gibberellin on the pattern of flowering and on the developmental fate of differentiated inflorescences along the tuber axis and individual shoot axes were studied in GA₃ and Uniconazole-treated tubers. Inflorescence primordia and fully developed (emerged) floral stems produced during tuber storage and the plant growth period were recorded. Days to flowering, percent of flowering shoots and floral stem length decreased basipetally along the shoot and tuber axes. GA₃ prolonged the flowering period and increased both the number of flowering shoots per tuber and the differentiated inflorescences per shoot. Activated buds were GA₃ responsive regardless of meristem size or age. Uniconazole did not inhibit inflorescence differentiation but inhibited floral stem elongation. The results suggest that GA₃ has a dual action in the flowering process: induction of inflorescence differentiation and promotion of floral stem elongation. The flowering pattern could be a result of a gradient in the distribution of endogenous factors involved in inflorescence differentialtion (possibly GAs) and in floral stem growth. This gradient along the tuber and shoot axes is probably controlled by apical dominance of the primary bud. Online publication: 7 April 2005     

Flowering and gibberellins in a mutant red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Relationships between gibberellins and floral initiation were investigated in a conditional non-flowering mutant of red clover, Trifolium pratense. Untreated mutant plants will not flower under long-days, but will do so when certain GAs are applied. Gibberellins, A₃, A₁, A₇, and A₅ all resulted in both stem elongation and flowering whilst GA₄ produced the elongation only. Applications of GA₂₀, GA₈ and GA₁₃ under long-days had no detectable effect. Thus, by combining the use of the mutant with the application of different GAs, the correlation between the processes of stem elongation and floral initiation, which is normally strongly expressed in this species, was broken. Endogenous gibberellins shown to be present in normal plants were also found in the mutant genotype. Gibberellins alone were not sufficient to initiate floral development in the mutant, there being an essential element of interaction with long-days. These results are discussed in relation to the nature of the lesion in the mutant and the signal provided by the applied gibberellin.     

Gibberellins and bud break,vegetative shoot growth and flowering in Metrosideros collina cv. Tahiti

Applications of the growth promotive gibberellins (GAs) GA₄ and 2,2-dimethyl GA₄, and of C-16,17 endo-dihydro GA₅, which is known to promote flowering while inhibiting stem growth in the long-day grass Lolium temulentum, were made to micropropagated plants of Metrosideros collina cv. Tahiti, a highly ornamental cultivar with an intermittent flowering pattern. Gibberellin A₄ and 2,2-dimethyl GA₄ stimulated vegetative growth both in elongating shoots, and internodes of shoots developing from buds that were quiescent at the time of GA application. Abscission of the apices of expanding shoots, a feature of mature Metrosideros plants, was inhibited by these GAs, the rejuvenation of micropropagated plantlets being enhanced. However, C-16,17 endo-dihydro GA₅ differed from GA₄ and 2,2-dimethyl GA₄ by having no promotive effects on vegetative growth, and no inhibition of apical abscission. Notwithstanding this contrasting effect on vegetative growth, high doses of GA₄ or C-16,17 endo-dihydro GA₅ similarly reduced flowering on shoots to which either GA was applied. Reduced flowering in response to applied GAs is common in many woody angiosperms, and in this instance was probably the combined result of abortion of developing floral structures in quiescent buds, and a preferential inhibition of bud break for floral buds relative to vegetative buds, particularly by GA₄. Finally, both C-16,17 endo-dihydro GA₅ and GA₄ strongly inhibited bud break in this woody angiosperm, although GA₄ could initially stimulate bud break when applied to vegetative buds close to the expansion stage. The above findings, in toto, highlight the sensitivity of Metrosideros to both classes of GA in a variety of growth and development processes.     

Interaction of growth retardants,daylength, and gibberellins A19, A20, and A1 on shoot elongation in birch and alder

Gibberellins A₁₉, A₂₀, and A₁ were applied to seedlings of birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) and alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in order to test their ability to counteract growth inhibition induced by growth retardants (ancymidol and BX-112) or short day (SD, 12 h) photoperiod. Ancymidol inhibits early and BX-112 inhibits late steps in gibberellin biosynthesis. BX-112 inhibited stem elongation in both species while ancymidol, applied as a soil drench, was effective in alder only. Growth retardants affected stem elongation mainly by inhibiting elongation of internodes. All three gibberellins were equally active when applied to seedlings treated with ancymidol; however, only GA₁ was able to counteract the growth inhibition induced by BX-112. SD-induced cessation of elongation growth in birch was counteracted by GA₁, and to some degree, by GA₂₀, while GA₁₉ was inactive. SD treatment did not induce cessation of apical growth in alder. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that of gibberellins belonging to the early C-13 hydroxylation pathway, GA₁ is the only active gibberellin for stem elongation.     

Gibberellin-induced dormancy in bulbils of Dioscorea

Summary The sprouting of bulbils of some plants in genus Dioscorea was inhibited by gibberellin (GA) treatment and was promoted by treatment with growth retardants. The results suggest that endogenous GAs in some manner induce and maintain the dormant state in these bulbils.     

Identification and localization of gibberellins in maturing seeds of the cucurbit Sechium edule,and a comparison between this cucurbit and the legume Phaseolus coccineus

Twenty known gibberellins (GAs) have been identified by combined capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in extracts from less than 10 g fresh weight of maturing seeds of the cucurbit Sechium edule Sw. The GAs are predominantly 3- and-or 13-hydroxylated. This is the first reported identification of non-conjugated 13-hydroxylated GAs in a cucurbit. Gibberellin A₈ and gibberellin A₈-catabolite are the major GAs in terms of quantity and are largely accumulated in the testa. The catabolites of 2-hydroxylated GAs are ,-unsaturated ketones which no longer possess of a -lactone. They were hitherto known only in legumes. The presence of GA₈-catabolite as a major component of Sechium seeds indicates that the distribution of these GA-catabolites may be more widespread than previously envisaged. The localization of known GAs in maturing seeds of the legume Phaseolus coccineus L. was found to resemble closely that in Sechium. Gibberellin A₈, a putative conjugate of GA₈ and GA₈-catabolite are accumulated in the testa. The localization in the testa of end-products of the GA-biosynthetic pathway, which was first observed in maturing seeds of Pisum sativum, and is now described in Phaseolus and Sechium, may be a general feature of seed development.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry     

Gibberellins and the photoperiodic control of stem elongation in the long-day plant Agrostemma githago L.

Agrostemma githago is a long-day rosette plant in which transfer from short days (SD) to long days (LD) results in rapid stem elongation, following a lag phase of 7–8 d. Application of gibberellin A₂₀ (GA₂₀) stimulated stem elongation in plants under SD, while 2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine-carboxylate methyl chloride (AMO-1618, an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis) inhibited stem elongation in plants exposed to LD. This inhibition of stem elongation by AMO-1618 was overcome by simultaneous application of GA₂₀, indicating that GAs play a role in the photoperiodic control of stem elongation in this species. Endogenous GA-like substances were analyzed using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and the d-5 corn (Zea mays L.) assay. Three zones with GA-like activity were detected and designated, in order of decreasing polarity, as A, B, and C. A transient, 10-fold increase in the activity of zone B occurred after 8–10 LD, coincident with the transition from lag phase to the phase of rapid stem elongation. After 16 LD the activity in this zone had returned to a level similar to that under SD, even though the plants were elongating rapidly by this time. However, when AMO-1618 was applied to plants after 11 LD, there was a rapid reduction in the rate of stem elongation, indicating that continued GA biosynthesis was necessary following the transient increase in activity of zone B, if stem elongation was to continue under LD. It was concluded that control of stem elongation in A. githago involves more than a simple qualitative or quantitative change in the levels of endogenous GAs, and that photoperiodic induction alters both the sensitivity to GAs and the rate of turnover of endogenous GAs.Abbreviations AMO-1618 2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine-carboxylate methyl chloride - GA(s) gibberellin(s) - LD long day(s) - LDP long-day plant(s) - SD short day(s)     

Growth-active gibberellins overcome the very slow shoot growth of Hancornia speciosa, an important fruit tree from the Brazilian “Cerrado”

Shoot elongation of Hancornia speciosa, an endangered tree from the Brazilian savannah “Cerrado”, is very slow, thus limiting nursery production of plants. Gibberellins (GAs) A₁, A₃, and A₅, and two inhibitors of GA biosynthesis, trinexapac-ethyl and ancymidol were applied to shoots of Hancornia seedlings. GA₁ and GA₃ significantly stimulated shoot elongation, while GA₅ had no significant effect. Trinexapac-ethyl and ancymidol, both at 100 μg per seedling, inhibited shoot elongation up to 45 days after treatment, though the effect was statistically significant only for ancymidol. Somewhat surprisingly, exogenous GA₃ more effectively stimulated shoot elongation in SD-grown plants, than in LD-grown plants. The results from exogenous application of GAs and inhibitors of GA biosynthesis imply that Hancornia shoot growth is controlled by GAs, and that level of endogenous growth-active GAs is likely to be the limiting factor for shoot elongation in Hancornia. Application of GAs thus offer a practical method for nursery production of Hancornia seedlings for outplanting into the field.     

The source of gibberellins in the parthenocarpic development of ovaries on topped pea plants

The role and source of gibberellins (GAs) involved in the development of parthenocarpic fruits of Pisum sativum L. has been investigated. Gibberellins applied to the leaf adjacent to an emasculated ovary induced parthenocarpic fruit development on intact plants. The application of gibberellic acid (GA₃) had to be done within 1 d of anthesis to be fully effective and the response was concentration-dependent. Gibberellin A₁ and GA₃ worked equally well and GA₂₀ was less efficient. [³H]Gibberellin A₁ applied to the leaf accumulated in the ovary and the accumulation was related to the growth response. These experiments show that GA applied to the leaf in high enough concentration is translocated to the ovary. Emasculated ovaries on decapitated pea plants develop without application of growth hormones. When [³H] GA₁ was applied to the leaf adjacent to the ovary a substantial amount of radioactivity accumulated in the growing shoot of intact plants. In decapitated plants, however, this radioactivity was mainly found in the ovary. There it caused growth proportional to the accumulation of CA₁. Application of LAB 150978, an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis, to decapitated plants inhibited parthenocarpic fruit development and this inhibition was counteracted by the application of GA₃ (either to the fruit, or the leaf adjacent to the ovary, or through the lower cut end of the stem). All evidence taken together supports the view that parthenocarpic pea fruit development on topped plants depends on the import of gibberellins or their precursors, probably from the vegetative aerial parts of the plant.Abbreviations FW flesh weight - GA_n gibberellin A_n - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography     

Stem elongation and gibberellins in alpine and prairie ecotypes of Stellaria longipes

The potential for gibberellins (GAs) to control stem elongation and itsplasticity (range of phenotypic expression) was investigated inStellaria longipes grown in long warm days. Gibberellinmetabolism and sensitivity was compared between a slow-growing alpine dwarfwithlow stem elongation plasticity and a rapidly elongating, highly plastic prairieecotype. Both ecotypes elongated in response to exogenous GA₁,GA₄ or GA₉, but surprisingly, the alpine dwarf wasrelatively unresponsive to GA₃. Endogenous GA₁,GA₃, GA₄, GA₅, GA₈, GA₉and GA₂₀ were identified and quantified in stem tissue harvested atcommencement, middle and end of the period of most rapid elongation. Theconcentration of GAs which might be expected to promote shoot elongation washigher during rapid elongation than toward its end for both ecotypes. Whilethere was a trend for certain GAs (GA₃, GA₄,GA₉, GA₂₀) to be higher in stems of the alpine ecotypeduring rapid elongation, that result does not explain the slower growth of thealpine ecotype and the faster growth of the prairie ecotype under a range ofconditions. To determine if the two ecotypes metabolized GA₂₀differently, plants were fed [²H]- or[³H]-GA₂₀. The metabolic products identified included[²H₂]-GA₁, -GA₈, -GA₂₉,-GA₆₀, -3-epi-GA₁, GA₁₁₈(-1-epi-GA₆₀) and -GA₇₇. The concentration of[²H₂]-GA₁ also did not differ between the twoecotypes and metabolism of [²H₂]- or[³H]-GA₂₀ was also similar. In the same experiments thepresence of epi-GA₁, GA₂₉, GA₆₀,GA₁₁₈ and GA₇₇ was indicated, suggesting that these GAsmay also occur naturally in S. longipes, in addition tothose described above. Collectively, these results suggest that while stemelongation within ecotypes is likely regulated by GAs, differences in GAcontent, sensitivity to GAs (GA₃ excepted), or GA metabolism areunlikely to be the controlling factor in determining the differences seen ingrowth rate between the two ecotypes under the controlled environmentconditionsof this study. Nevertheless, further study is warranted especially underconditions where environmental factors may favour a GA:ethylene interaction.     

Effects of growth retardants on bulbil production by Narcissus twin-scales

Narcissus twin-scale propagules, cut from various positions in the parent bulb, were incubated with gibberellic acid (GA₃) or growth retardants. Bulbil production was inhibited in all cases by GA₃ at 10–100 mg/litre. Chlormequat chloride, chlorphonium chloride and paclobutrazol also inhibited bulbil production; in the case of paclobutrazol, outer twin-scales were more sensitive to lower concentrations of the retardant than inner ones. Ancymidol enhanced bulbil production (in numbers by up to 15%) in the outermost twin-scales, and had no stimulatory effect on the inner twin-scales. Treatments affected bulbil numbers and bulbil lengths about equally.     

Over-expression of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene from Phaseolus coccineus L. enhances gibberellin inactivation and induces dwarfism in Solanum species

Gibberellins (GAs) are endogenous hormones that play a predominant role in regulating plant stature by increasing cell division and elongation in stem internodes. The product of the GA 2-oxidase gene from Phaseolus coccineus (PcGA2ox1) inactivates C₁₉-GAs, including the bioactive GAs GA₁ and GA₄, by 2β-hydroxylation, reducing the availability of these GAs in plants. The PcGA2ox1 gene was introduced into Solanum melanocerasum and S. nigrum (Solanaceae) by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with the aim of decreasing the amounts of bioactive GA in these plants and thereby reducing their stature. The transgenic plants exhibited a range of dwarf phenotypes associated with a severe reduction in the concentrations of the biologically active GA₁ and GA₄. Flowering and fruit development were unaffected. The transgenic plants contained greater concentrations of chlorophyll b (by 88%) and total chlorophyll (11%), although chlorophyll a and carotenoid contents were reduced by 8 and 50%, respectively. This approach may provide an alternative to the application of chemical growth retardants for reducing the stature of plants, particularly ornamentals, in view of concerns over the potential environmental and health hazards of such compounds. C. Dijkstra, E. Adams, A. Bhattacharya and A. F. Page contributed equally to this paper.     

The role of gibberellin biosynthesis in the control of growth and flowering in Matthiola incana

Recently, it was found that stem elongation and flowering of stock Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br. are promoted by exogenous gibberellins (GAs), including GA₄, and also by acylcyclohexanedione inhibitors of GA biosynthesis, such as prohexadione‐calcium (PCa) and trinexapac‐ethyl (TNE). Here, because it was unclear how GA biosynthetic inhibitors could promote stem elongation and flowering, their effect on GA biosynthesis has been examined by quantifying endogenous GA levels; also, the sensitivity of stem elongation and flowering to various GAs in combination with the inhibitors was examined. Stem elongation and flowering were most effectively promoted by GA₄ when combined with PCa and, next in order, by 2,2‐dimethyl‐GA₄, PCa, GA₄+TNE, TNE, GA₉+PCa and by GA₄. There was little or no promotion by GA₁, GA₃, GA₉, GA₁₃, GA₂₀ and 3‐epi‐2,2‐dimethyl‐GA₄. Both the promotive effects of the acylcyclohexanediones on stem elongation and flowering, particularly when applied with GA₄, and the fact that TNE caused a build‐up of endogenous GA₄ imply that one effect of TNE at the lower dose involved an inhibition of 2β‐hydroxylation of GA₄ rather than an inhibition of 20‐oxidation and 3β‐hydroxylation of GAs which were precursors of GA₄. Overall, these results indicate that: (1) GAs with 3β‐OH and without 13‐OH groups (e.g. GA₄) are the most important for stem elongation and flowering in M. incana; (2) growth promotion rather than inhibition can result if an acylcyclohexanedione acts predominantly to slow 2β‐hydroxylation and so slows inactivation of active gibbberellins, including GA₄. It follows that a low dose of an acylcyclohexanedione can be a ‘growth enhancer’ for any applied GA that is liable to inactivation by 2β‐hydroxylation.     

Metabolism of gibberellins in a cell-free system from immature seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The biosynthetic steps from gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde (GA₁₂-aldehyde) to C₁₉-GAs were studied by means of a cell-free system from the embryos of immature Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. Stable-isotope-labeled GAs were used as substrates and the products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Gibberellin A₁₂-aldehyde was converted to GA₄ via non-hydroxylated intermediates and to GA₁ via 13-hydroxylated intermediates. 13-Hydroxylation took place at the beginning of the pathway by the conversion of GA₁₂-aldehyde to GA₅₃-aldehyde. The conversion of GA₂₀ to GA₅ and GA₆ was also shown but no 2-hydroxylating activity was found. Endogenous GAs from embryos and testas of 17-dold seeds were re-examined by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring using stable-isotopelabeled GAs as internal standards. Gibberellins A₉, A₁₂, A₁₅, A₁₉, A₂₃, A₂₄, and A₅₃ were identified for the first time in P. vulgaris, in addition to GA₁, GA₄, GA₅, GA₆, GA₈, GA₁₇, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, GA₃₇, GA₃₈ and GA₄₄, which were previously known to occur in this species. The levels of all GAs, except the 2-hydroxylated ones, were greater in the embryos than in the testas. Conversely, the contents of GA₈ and GA₂₉, both 2-hydroxylated, were much higher in the testas than in the embryos.Abbreviations GA_n gibberellin A_n - GC-MS gas chromatography-mass spectrometry - GC-SIM gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - TLC thin-layer chromatography - m/z ion of mass     

Endogenous Gibberellins in the Developing Liquid Endosperm of Tea

Changes in the kind and level of endogenous gibberellins (GAs) in the developing liquid endosperm of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) were investigated. Gibberellin A₁ (GA₁), GA₈, GA₁₉, GA₂₀, and GA₄₄ were identified by GC-MS or GC-SIM. Besides these early C-13 hydroxylated GAs, GA₃, iso-GA₃, and GA₃₈ were also identified. Of these GAs, GA₁ and GA₃ were the major gibberellins. The levels of these GAs were at a maximum in the globular embryo stage and then decreased rapidly during embryo maturation.     

Gibberellin physiology of safflower: endogenous gibberellins and response to gibberellic acid

Endogenous gibberellins (GAs) were extracted from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) stems and detected by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from which GA₁, GA₃, GA₁₉,, GA₂₀, GA₂₉, and probably, GA₄₄ were detected. The detection of these GAs suggests that the early 13-OH biosynthetic pathway is prevalent in safflower shoots. Deuterated GAs were used as internal standards and GA concentrations were determined in stems harvested at weekly intervals. GA₁ and GA₁₉ levels per stem increased but concentrations per gram dry weight decreased over time. GA₂₀ was only detected in young stem tissue.Gibberellic acid (GA₃) was also applied in field trials and both GA₃ and the GA biosynthetic inhibitor, paclobutrazol, were applied in growth chamber tests. GA₃ increased epidermal cell size, internode length, and increased internode cell number causing stem elongation. Conversely, paclobutrazol reduced stem height, internode and cell size, cell number and overall shoot weight. In field tests, GA₃ increased total stem weight, but decreased leaf weight, flower bud number and seed yield. Thus, GA₃ promoted vegetative growth at the expense of reproductive commitment. These studies collectively indicate a promotory role of GAs in the control of shoot growth in safflower, and are generally consistent with gibberellin studies of related crop plants. Author for correspondence     

Stem growth,flower formation,and endogenous gibberellins in a normal and a dwarf strain of Silene armeria

The physiological basis of dwarfism in a single-gene, recessive mutant of Silene armeria L. was investigated through comparison with a normal strain. Exposure of the normal strain to long days led to stem growth and flower formation while similar exposure of the dwarf strain led only to flowering, with very little stem growth. Application of gibberellin A₃ or A₄₊₇ in short days promoted stem elongation in the normal strain, but had a much lesser effect in the dwarf strain. Upon extraction and chromatographic fractionation of the endogenous gibberellins (GAs) in the normal strain of S. armeria, three zones of GA activity were found. An increase in one zone of activity was found in both strains after 1 long day. Neither the quality nor the quantity of the extractable GAs differed greatly between the dwarf and the normal strain. Vegetative dwarf scions, grafted onto fully induced, normal stocks formed flowers, but their growth habit was not changed. Thus, the lack of stem growth in response to long days in the dwarf strain appears to result from a lack of GA sensitivity in the stem tissue of these plants. However, during flower formation dwarf plants did exhibit elongation of the peduncles. This response was suppressed by the growth retardant 2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine-carboxylate methyl chloride (AMO-1618), and applied GA₃ could partially overcome this inhibition. Thus, peduncle elongation in the dwarf strain appears to be regulated by endogenous GAs.Abbreviations AMO-1618 2-isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine-carboxylate methyl chloride - GA(s) gibberellin(s) - LD long day(s) - SD short day(s)     

Effects of Light, Abscisic Acid, and N-Benzyladenine on the Metabolism of [H]Gibberellin A(4) in Seeds and Seedlings of Lettuce, cv. Grand Rapids

Gibberellin A₄ (GA₄) can substitute for light in the germination of Grand Rapids lettuce seeds. Seeds imbibed in [³H]GA₄ do not convert this to other GAs prior to, or immediately following, visible germination: thus GA₄ alone can promote radicle expansion. Abscisic acid inhibited [³H]GA₄-induced germination, but did not significantly affect [³H]GA₄ uptake or metabolism during germination. ⁶N-benzyladenine overcame the inhibitory effect of abscisic acid and increased [³H]GA₄ uptake, although radicle emergence was delayed somewhat.