Effects of applied gibberellins and uniconazole-P on gravitropism and xylem formation in horizontally positioned Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings

Abstract

The present study deals with the effects of gibberellins (GA3, GA4) and uniconazole-P, an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis, on negative gravitropism and xylem formation in the stems of horizontally positioned, 2-year-old Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. var. japonica Maxim. seedlings. Each growth regulator (100μg) dissolved in 5μl acetone (50%) was applied to the basal node of the current shoot on May 24, 1995. The same treatment was repeated five times weekly until June 28. Five seedlings were used for each treatment. The seedlings were positioned horizontally 24h after the first application on May 25. Within 5 weeks the horizontal stem of control and GA-treated seedlings exhibited negative gravitropism. In contrast, the application of uniconazole-P inhibited negative gravitropic stem bending. The application of GAs increased the number of gelatinous fibers having thickened cell walls on the upper side of stems. The uniconazole-P application decreased xylem cell formation but did not inhibit the formation of gelatinous fibers. These results indicate that not only the differentiation of gelatinous fibers but also xylem increment is important in the negative gravitropism of horizontally positioned F. mandshurica seedlings. These results also suggest that GAs may be involved in xylem cell formation rather than the differentiation of gelatinous fibers in this species. © The Japan Wood Research Society 1998.