Distribution of labelled auxin and derivatives in stem tissues of intact and decapitated broad‐bean plants in relation to apical dominance

[ 3 H]‐auxin (0.13 to 0.18 nmol) was applied to the apical bud of broadbean plants ( Vicia faba L. cv. Aguadulce). After 24 h, the exportation from the donor organ was ended. After 48 h, i.e. 10–15 h after the passage of the [ 3 H]‐auxin pulse into the root system, the distribution and the nature of labelled molecules located in the basal part of the stem and in the axillary buds were investigated. Chromatographic analyses concerned both intact plants and plants decapitated 12 h, 24 h or 42 h after the [ 3 H]‐auxin application. In intact plants, there was no significant amount of [ 3 H]‐auxin in the axillary buds, whose radioactivity was very low compared to the stem tissues. The labelled molecules with the Rf of auxin represented 50% or more of the whole radioactivity of the stem tissues. The distribution of [ 3 H]‐auxin was not uniform along the stem. In particular, the cotyledonary node zone, bearing the most inhibited buds, which is known to be an important centre of label retention, contained the highest amounts of labelled auxin both in intact and decapitated plants. The decapitation was quickly followed by a decrease of the [ 3 H]‐auxin amount in the stem base more than 15 cm away from the wound, particularly in the scale leaf nodes, whose axillary buds were mainly the ones to grow after relief from apical dominance. The induction of this early decrease was clearly distinct in plants decapitated when auxin exportation from the donor organ was ended.