Growth Regulator Induced Movement of Photosynthetic Products Into Fruits of `Black Corinth' Grapes

Abstract

The effect of exogenous growth regulators on movement of assimilates into flowers and young fruits of 'Black Corinth' grapes was studied. Clusters were treated with growth regulator and after 0.5 hr to 5 davs the leaves above the clusters were exposed to 14CO. Control shoots received 14CO9 but no growth regulator. At harvest, counting and radio- autographic techniques were used to ascertain amount and distribution of activity in clusters. Clusters were dipped in 4-CPA (4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), GA3 (gibberellic acid), or BA (benzyladenine). All berries were heavier than controls within 3 days. Total counts in the fruits were increased by 4-CPA, and the distribution of radioactivity among the sugar, organic acid, and amino acid fractions was usually altered by all treatments. In a time series experi- ment, within 6 hr after treatment of fruits with GA3 there was almost an 8-fold increase in total counts relative to the control. After 12 hr there was about a 9-fold and 6-fold increase in counts in tartaric and malic acids, respectively, and in y-aminobutyric acid, pipecolic acid, and valine increases of 56, 150, and 330 %o. Radioactivity in fructose was increased 70 N% in gibberellin-treated clusters over the controls. After 96 hr there were only about 1000 cmp per g fr wt in controls, but there were about 31,000 cpm counts in treated clusters. Treatment of clusters with gibberellin attracted less assimilates into the fruits when shoots had also been sprayed with gibberellin. Dipping portions of clusters in gibberellin increased the movement of 14C assimilates into the treated portions. Hormonal control of mobilization is discussed. It