Effect of exogenous IAA on tension wood formation by facilitating polar auxin transport and cellulose biosynthesis in hybrid poplar (Populus deltoids × Populus nigra) wood

Abstract

Auxins as phytohormons, responsible for coordination of growing processes, also contribute to the formation of tension wood (TW) in trees, but the mechanism of this process is still unclear. In this study, it has been tried to induce TW formation in erect hybrid poplar trees (in opposite to inclined or bended trees) by treatment with exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, as one of the auxins) or N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) as an auxin transport inhibitor. The treatment with IAA resulted in TW formation and, as expected, NPA treatment did not. The gelatinous fiber formation and higher cellulose content in the cell wall were unambiguous indicators for TW formation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed that genes of PIN1, ABCB1, and AUX2 involved in polar auxin transport were highly expressed in trees treated with exogenous IAA. Moreover, expressions of cellulose biosynthesis related genes of UGP1, UGP2 and CesA13 were strongly up-regulated. These observations indicate that the accelerated intercellular polar auxin transport caused by exogenous IAA is accounted for TW formation, i.e. the signal transduction of auxin is affected, which then facilitates cellulose biosynthesis. In contrast, the transcript abundances of PIN1 and all selected cellulose synthases (CesAs) were decreased after NPA treatment via inhibiting the cellular auxin efflux with negative effects on plant's primary growth. These results are interpreted that TW formation is closely associated with the acceleration of intercellular polar auxin transport.