Effect of Manganese Toxicity on the Indoleacetic Acid Oxidase System of Cotton

The effect of substrate manganese on tissue manganese levels and activity of the indoleacetic acid (IAA)-oxidase system of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) was investigated. A sand culture technique was used with 1, 3, 9, 27 and 81 mg manganese (MnSO(4)) per liter nutrient solution applied in various experiments.The following relationships held for both long-term (126 days) and short-term (12-14 days) exposures to manganese treatment: A) There was a direct relationship between substrate and tissue manganese. B) Only the 81 mg/liter Mn plants exhibited severe manganese toxicity symptoms. C) At the toxic level of manganese an increased IAA-oxidase activity and decreased IAA-oxidase inhibitor activity was observed. There was a direct relationship between degree of enzyme response and severity of visible symptoms. D) With the manganese toxicity plants, but none of the other treatments, extracts of the young leaves contained as much IAA-oxidase activity as extracts of much older leaves. E) Crude extracts from the plants grown with 81 mg manganese per liter solution, in contrast to those of other treatments, destroyed IAA without addition of MnCl(2) to the assay medium.A hypothesis is advanced stating that manganese toxicity symptoms in cotton are expressions of auxin deficiency caused by IAA-oxidase activity increased by the abnormal tissue levels of manganese.