The Effect of Triacontanol on Peroxidase, IAA, and Plant Growth in Pisum sativum var.‘Alaska’ and ‘Little Marvel’

• Published in: Journal of experimental botany 1980-01, Vol.31 (5), p.1297-1303
• Main Authors: HENRY, EGBERT W., GORDON, CRAIG J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apical meristems; Auxins; Peas; Plant growth; Plant roots; Plants; Root growth; Seedlings; Stem elongation; Water uptake
• ISSN: 0022-0957; 1460-2431
• DOI: 10.1093/jxb/31.5.1297

The present study investigates the effects of triacontanol (CH3(CH2)28CH2OH), on plant growth (root and stem), peroxidase activity (apical meristem tissue), and auxin destruction (apical meristem tissue) in ‘Little Marvel’ dwarf (LM) and ‘Alaska’ peas (AP). Triacontanol inhibited root growth in LM compared to untreated controls. However, root growth in AP tissue was enhanced by 1.0 mg I−1 triacontanol and inhibited by all other treatments, in comparison to untreated controls. Water uptake in triacontanol-treated AP plants was greater than in untreated controls, with the converse being the case for LM. Triacontanol treatment caused an increase in peroxidase activity in both LM and AP plants compared to untreated controls. In terms of (1–14C)IAA destruction, GA3 + 0.01 mg 1−1 triacontanol caused appreciable auxin breakdown (40%) in LM tissue, with GA3 + 0.1 mg 1−1 triacontanol giving a 43% decrease compared to untreated controls. In AP tissue, 10 μM GA3 increased auxin destruction by 188% whereas 0.1 mg I−1 triacontanol caused a 20% decrease compared to untreated controls. The effects of triacontanol on root and stem growth, peroxidase activity, and auxin destruction appear to be cultivar-specific, with respect to LM and AP varieties of peas.