Growth of the gynophore of the peanut Arachis hypogaea. 2. Regulation of growth

Abstract

It was previously shown that removal of the ovary, which occupies the distal millimetre, caused cessation of growth of the gynophore and its intercalary meristem, suggesting that the ovary was a source of growth-promoting substances. Control of growth was studied in the gynophore of the peanut Arachis hypogaea L., cv. Bukene No. 2. Low concentrations of indoleacetic acid promoted growth of decapitated gynophores, whereas high levels inhibited elongation. Gibberellic acid promoted growth of the decapitated gynophores, whereas kinetin inhibited growth at all concentrations used. A combination of indoleacetic acid and gibberellic acid promoted extension growth of the decapitated gynophores above that of the intact gynophores; this was characterized, however, by a different pattern of cell division and cell elongation from that observed in the intact gynophores. Indoleacetic acid affected the "youngest" tissues, whereas gibberellic acid affected the whole length of the growing zone. High levels of indoleacetic acid caused diageotropism of the gynophores. Application of [14C] indoleacetic acid to vertical gynophores after the ovary was excised indicated that indoleacetic acid became redistributed to one side, resulting in horizontal bending. Thus an increased amount of auxin from the enlarging ovary may be involved in placing the ovary parallel to the soil surface when it reaches a suitable depth in the soil, during normal geocarpic development. Triiodobenzoic acid reduced growth when applied in lanolin as a ring between the ovary and the meristem but not when applied proximal to the meristem, suggesting that triiodobenzoic acid prevented the transport of auxin from the ovary to the meristem.