Gibberellic Acid Plus Cytokinins Induced Basal Bulbs of Purple Nutsedge Above Ground

Abstract

Benzyladenine (BA), kinetin, and gibberellic acid (GA) at concentrations of 6 × 10−4and 4 × 10−3M, respectively, were used to induce formation of basal bulbs above ground in rhizomes of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundusL.). BA plus GA induced a tropistic response in all of the rhizomes and only above ground bulbs were produced, while kinetin plus GA induced a tropistic response and bulbs formed above and below the soil surface. Control plants as well as those treated with GA, kinetin, or BA produced underground bulbs and rhizomes but no bulbs above ground. Height of above ground secondary bulbs induced by kinetin plus GA was significantly greater than those induced by BA plus GA. Transformation of primary rhizomes to shoots in the control plants did not differ significantly from transformation of those originating from plants of the various treatments. Height of primary plants of all treatments differed significantly from the controls.