Growth Regulators and Wood Formation in Pinus silvestris

The formation of new xylem in the spring is preceded by bud development. In decapitated pine stem the formation of xylem is arrested until the outgrowth of interfascicular buds takes place. When indole-3yl-acetic acid (IAA) is applied to the cut surfaces of decapitated stems it induces the formation of a xylem ring on the whole length of 5-ycar old trees. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) causes the formation of xylem; however, the width of the growth ring is several times broader at the point of application than at the base of the leader. Cis- and trans-cinnamic acids, coumarin, L-tryptophan, kinetin (Kin), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and gibberellic acid (GA) alone do not induce cambial divisions; however, GA and the cytokinins given jointly with IAA or NAA accelerated the basipetal stimulus which has been induced by the auxins, resulting in normal xylem formation. 2,3,5-Triiodobonzoic acid (TIBA) given jointly with IAA-induced formation of compression wood in the apical part of the stem and narrow diameter tracheids at the base. When carboxyl labelled IAA or NAA are applied to pine segments it is found that the basipetal movement of IAA is much quicker than that of NAA. GA and the cytokinins increase the rate of transport of both auxins, whereas TIBA arrests the bulk of auxin in the apical part of the stem.