INVESTIGATIONS ON AUXIN-GIBBERELLIN INTERACTION ON THE PHOTOTROPISM OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS HYPOCOTYL

On applying IAA-GB and IAA-NAA mixtures to the hypocotyls ofHelianthus annuus, the plants showed an increase and a decrease,respectively, in their phototropic response compared with thecontrol treated with IAA-H₂O only. In the in vitro experimentsit was observed that the illumination (with 1,500 lux light,lasting for 24 hr) caused photoinactivation of IAA in the mixturesof IAA-H₂O, IAA-GB and IAA-NAA by 50%, 24% and 0%, respectively.In the presence of 0.01% riboflavin as a photosensitizer inthe same mixtures, the degree of photodestruction of IAA causedby the same illumination was 92%, 97% and 86%, respectively. The stronger positive phototropism in the IAA-GB treated hypocotylwas accounted for by the situation that on the illuminated sidethe photo-inactivation of IAA was accelerated by GB, while onthe shaded side IAA and GB acted synergistically. On the otherhand, the weaker phototropism in the IAA-NAA treated hypocotylwas explained as due to a partial inhibition of photoinactivationof IAA by NAA. (Received October 6, 1962; )