Effects of potassium and gibberellic acid on stem growth of whole sunflower plants |
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Authors: | MANUEL D DE LA GUARDIA MANUEL BENLLOCH |
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Institution: | Cátedra de Fisiología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Agrónomos, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain |
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Abstract: | Abstract The effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) on whole sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants grown at three potassium (K) levels (0.0, 0.5 and 5.0 mM) were studied. A tenfold increase in the length of the first internode was observed when plants grown without K were treated with GA3. The uneven K distribution along the plant (higher K content in the higher internodes) was enhanced by GA3 treatment. Gibberellic acid increased the content of reducing sugars, especially in K-deficient plants. An increase in the K level in the nutrient solution resulted in a decrease of the osmotic potential of stem segments. Osmotic potential differences within the elongating first internode were increased by GA3 treatment. |
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Keywords: | Gibberellic acid whole sunflower plant Helianthus annuus potassium osmotic potential growth |
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