Differential effects of auxin polar transport inhibitors on rooting in some Crassulaceae species

Abstract

Effects of auxin polar transport inhibitors, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and methyl 2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate (morphactin IT 3456), as a lanolin paste, on root formation in cuttings of some species of Crassulaceae, such as Bryophyllum daigremontianum, B. calycinum, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and K. tubiflora, were studied. Cuttings of these plants were easily rooted in water without any treatment. TIBA and morphactin IT 3456 completely inhibited root formation in the cuttings of these plants but NPA did not when these inhibitors were applied around the stem below the leaves. When TIBA and morphactin were applied around the stem near the top, but leaves were present below the treatment, the root formation was observed in B. calycinum and K. blossfeldiana but in a smaller degree than in control cuttings. These results strongly suggest that endogenous auxin is required for root formation in cuttings of Crassulaceae plants. The differential mode of action of NPA is discussed together with its effect on auxin polar transport.