Investigation of temporal variations in endogenous gibberellin A3 and A 4 in the leaves of birch (Betula platyphylla)

• Published in: Trees (Berlin, West) West), 2012, Vol.26 (4), p.1113-1121
• Main Authors: Zhang, Rongshu, Wang, Yucheng, Liu, Guifeng, Wang, Yuefeng, Li, Jun, Wang, Xuewei, Yang, Chuanping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adults; Betula platyphylla; bioactive properties; bolting; flowers; gibberellic acid; leaves; mass spectrometry; plant growth; trees
• ISSN: 0931-1890; 1432-2285

Bioactive gibberellins (GAs) affect nearly every process during plant growth and development. In the present study, endogenous GA3 and GA4 levels in young leaves of 2- to 4-year-old birch (Betula platyphylla) trees were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) during the phase from May to August. Concurrently, changes in the levels of GAs during each day were also determined in 4-year-old trees. Furthermore, the levels of GAs were analyzed in 15 four-year-old juvenile birch trees (yet to bolt/flower) and in 15 adult trees (just starting to bolt/flower) during different stages of growth. Our results displayed the basic various patterns of GA3 and GA4 levels of the transient variation over a single day and the periodic variation in the growth period from May to August in different ages of birch trees. The results suggested that GA3 and GA4 had a significant effect on promoting birch growth and flowering. This study also defined the optimal time period for the determination of a foliar spray of GA3 and GA4 to promote birch growth. Our study provides a theoretical foundation for the further investigation of the effects of GA3 and GA4 on the growth and development of birch trees.