Hormone Interaction in Apical Dominance in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Gibberellic acid (GA₃), kinetin, and indole-3yl-acetic acid(IAA) were applied to roots of Phaseolus vulgaris under twodifferent light intensities and when either young or old leaveswere removed In all cases GA₃, promoted stem and lateral growth,especially when light intensity was reduced. Promotion by GA₃,of stem growth under reduced light was reduced if IAA and kinetinwere present; promotion of lateral growth under reduced lightwas reduced if IAA was added and eliminated if kinetin or kinetinplus IAA were added to GA₃. Removal of young and mature leavesreduced main stem growth; removal of young leaves promoted,and of mature leaves reduced, lateral shoot growth. We suggestthat shoot growth and apical dominance are governed by the balanceof hormones present in elongating internodes. There may be twoways of modifying this balance; firstly by altering light, temperature,or nutrients, or by applying hormones generally to the plant.Secondly, local modifications can be made by removing apicesor young leaves, or applying hormones in lanolin to specificareas. Knowledge of both the general and local conditions maybe necessary for a complete understanding of apical dominance.     

Interaction between Hormones, Light, and Nutrition on Extension of Lateral Buds in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Gibberellic acid (GA₃), kinetin, and indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA)contained in lanolin were applied in various combinations andconcentrations to decapitated stems and petioles and to budsof Phaseolus vulgaris L. GA₃ applied alone usually promotedgrowth of main stems and laterals but this was by no means consistentand occasionally it acted in the opposite way. IAA applied alonereduced lateral bud extension slightly, but not consistently;however, when applied with GA₃ or GA₃ plus kinetin, it oftenmarkedly inhibited the promotion caused by these compounds.On occasions, however, GA₃ and IAA acted synergistically topromote and sometimes to inhibit lateral shoot growth. Kinetinalone showed few significant effects on lateral shoot growthbut applied with GA₃ it often dramatically increased GA₃-inducedgrowth of main stems and laterals. The diversity of these results,which parallels that found in the literature, was shown to bepartly dependent on the point of hormone application and ageof the plant or bud, on concentration of hormone and on lightintensity or nutrition. However, no meaningful relationshipswere found and it is concluded that growth of laterals and mainstems is dependent on a hormone balance which can be criticallymodified by a wide range of internal and external factors thenature of which is still to be determined.