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Effect of benzyladenine on development of derooted watermelon seedlings
Author(s) -
Longo Giovanna P.,
Fantelli Raffaella,
Longo Claudio P.,
Rossi Gianfranca,
Azzolini Irma,
Pirovano Gilberto
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1984.tb02808.x
Subject(s) - hypocotyl , cotyledon , citrullus , citrullus lanatus , growth regulator , botany , cytokinin , chlorophyll , seedling , carotenoid , chemistry , biology , horticulture , biochemistry , auxin , gene
We have examined the effects of benzyladenine (BA) on derooted watermelon ( Citrullus vulgaris Schrad., cv. Fairfax) seedlings with special attention to the cotyledons. The growth regulator was supplied either as a droplet of solution between the cotyledons (application from above) or through the hypocotyl stump (application from below). Application of BA from above stimulates several developmental parameters of cotyledons [growth, lipid breakdown, chlorophyll and carotenoid accumulation, hydroxypyruvate reductase (EC 1.1.1.81.) activity]. The stimulation is much smaller with application from below. Also the distribution of labelled BA changes according to the method of application. The bulk of the label remains in the cotyledons when BA is supplied from above and in the hypocotyl when it is supplied from below. The absolute amount of radioactivity found in the cotyledons after 24 h of treatment is approximately the same in both cases. This seems to indicate that the different effects of the two treatments depend on concentration ratios of BA (or metabolic derivates) between hypocotyl and cotyledons rather than on absolute growth regulator levels.