Changes in Endogenous Gibberellins and the Metabolism of [3H]GA4 after Geostimulation in Shoots of the Oat Plant (Avena sativa)

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Abstract
The recovery from “lodging,” or bending over, by shoots of 42-day-old Avena sativa plants is controlled primarily by a negatively geotropic differential growth of the lower halves of the p-1 node-pulvinus and the base of the p-1 internode, relative to the upper halves. Although geostimulation causes a significant reduction in p-1 internode length, dry matter accumulation in the p-1 node-pulvinus is increased, apparently at the expense of the sheath. Recovery to an angle of 30° is associated with changes in endogenous gibberellin-like substances (GAs), and in differential metabolism of applied [3H]GA4 (1.4 Curie per millimole). Although geostimulation depressed total GAs (relative to upright plant parts) to 0.40 and 0.13 for node-pulvini and sheaths, respectively, it increased them 2-fold for internodes. Within the plant part geostimulation increased GAs (relative to upper halves) 29- and 7-fold in lower halves of node-pulvini and internodes, respectively, but reduced GAs to 0.3 in lower halves of sheaths. At age 42 days a GA4/7-like (nonpolar) substance predominates, with lesser amounts of a GA3-like (polar) substance. Native GAs of Avena include GA3, GA4, and GA7. Geostimulation enhanced the ratio of nonpolar to polar GAs for both halves of internodes, but tended to depress it for sheaths and nodepulvini.