The effect of shoot-bending on the amount of diffusible indole-3-acetic acid and its transport in shoots of Japanese pear

The amount of diffusible indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in shoots ofJapanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) decreased when vertical shootswere bent at an angle of 45°. A significant decrease of diffusibleIAA was observed one day after shoot bending (DAB), and the degree ofthis decrease was larger in the apical region of the shoot than in thebasal region. The decrease caused by the shoot bending increased withthe duration of the treatment. The IAA amounts in the bent shoot in theapical, central, and basal segments on 1 DAB were58.2±6.4%, 92.6±7.6%, and79.1±7.1% of the control, while 43.7±4.1%,30.8±2.9%, and 39.4±2.5% on 14 DAB.Radiolabelled IAA transport velocity was also examined, but it was notinfluenced by the shoot angle in the apical region of the shoot.However, the IAA transport velocity in the basal region decreased. Itdropped first on 1 DAB, but it recovered to the control level 3 DAB,then it decreased again on 14 DAB. A large increase in ethyleneproduction was observed in the bent shoot, but it seemed transient anddid not continue for 14 days. These results suggest that the decrease ofdiffusible IAA amounts may be induced not by the decrease of IAAtransport velocity but by the production/supply of IAA in the apicalregion.