Transport and metabolism of h-gibberellin a(1) in dioecious cucumber seedlings

The transport of ³H-GA₁ through hypocotyl segments of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was found to be nonpolar. The transport of ³H-GA₁ was increased by pretreatment with relatively high concentrations of either IAA or Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid). Hypocotyl segments from plants of a gynoecious genotype transported more ³H-GA₁ than those of an androecious. The metabolism of ³H-GA₁ in hypocotyl segments was neither related to the sex genotype of the cucumber plant nor influenced by pretreatment with Ethephon. The primary metabolite of GA₁ was suggested to be GA₈. Two other suspected metabolites were not identified. Differences in the endogenous GA of gynoecious and androecious plants could not be accounted for by transport differences.