PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF GIBBERELLINS

(1) Seed Germination

Certain ight sensitive seeds eg., lettuce and tobacco show poor germination in dark.
Germination starts vigorously if these seeds are exposed to light or red light. This requirememt
of light is overcome if the seeds are treated with gibberellic acid in dark.
(2) Dormancy of Buds
to
In temperate regions the buds formed in autumn remain dormant until next spring due
severe colds. This dormancy of buds can be broken by gibberellin treatment.
gibber:l1n
In potatoes also, there is a dormant period after harvest, but the application of
sprouts the eyes vigorously.
(3) Root Growth
concentration in some pia
Gibberellins have little or no effect on root growth. At higher
The initiation of roots is markedly inhlb
however, some inhibition of root growth may occur.
ited by gibberellins in isolated cuttings.
(4) Elongation of the Internodes
iner
on the plant growth is the elongation of the ini
Overcome
Most pronounced effect of gibberellins
such as dwarf pea, dwarf maize etc., they
nodes, so much so that in many plants
 Growth Hormones 449
GrOmhand

geneticdwarfism. For insiance, the light grown dwarf pea plants have ahort internodes
expandedleaves. But, when treated with gibbercllin the internodes elongate markedly and
pod like tall plants.
i sconsideredthat in such dwarf plants (i) the gibherellin is rmissing.
gene for producing
the concenration of the natural inhibitors is higher. When external gibberellin is applied
deficiencyofthe endogenous gibbercllins is made good or the external gibherellin over
the
MIS
effect of natural inhibitors which fall short.
Deepwater rice (Oryza sativa) is another notable example of pronounced effect of gibber-
lisonelongation of intemodes so that its foliage may remain above water in the field. Strik-
growthrates of as much as 25 cms. per day have been observed in rice plants under field
anditions.
Partial submergence of rice plants is bclicved to reduce partial pressure of 0, which triggers cth-
biosynthesis in submerged tissues. Ethylene in turn reduces the levcl of ABA (abscisic acid) which
Ane antagonist of GA. Submerged rice
tissucs thus become more responsive to endogenous GA re-
t S marked internodes).
sng in
clongation of
Bolting and Flowering
many herbaceous plants the carly period of growh shows rosette-habit with short stem
ad cauline leaves. Under short days the rosette habit is retained while under long days bolt-
accurs i.e., the stem elongates rapidly and is converted into floral axis bearing flower pri
rdia This bolting can also be induced in such plants e.g. Rudbeckia speciosa (It is a Long
Plant) by the application of gibberellin even under non-inductive short days.
In Hyoscyamus niger (also a Long Day Plant) gibberellin treatment causes bolting and flow
Ig under non-inductive short days. While in Long Day Plants the gibberellin treatment usually
SS in early fiowering, its effects are quite variable in Short Day Plants. It may either have
effect, or inhibit, or may activate flowering.
6 Parthenocarpy
Germination of the pollen grains is stimulated by gibberellins, likewise the growth of the
tl and the fornation of parthenocarpic fruits can be induced by gibberellin treatment. In many
285 eg., pome and stone fruits where auxins have failed to induced parthenocarpy he gib
elins have proven to be successful. Seedless and fleshy tomatoes and large sized grapes are
KIQUced by gibberellin treatment on commercial scale.
) Light Inhibited Stem
Growth
s cominon observation that the dark grown plants become etiolated and have taller,
thitner and pale stems while the light grown plants have shorter, thicker and green stems, and
Me concluded that light has inhibitory effect on stem elongation. Treatment of light grown
ACh casesith gibberell1n also stimulates stem
the stenm growth and they appear to be dark brown. In
falls while soluble nitrogen content increases prob-
ty due tothemoreprotein content of proteins than
of the
their synthesis.
breakdown
It is considered that the light in some way lowers the level of endogenous gibberellins
inhibits the siem growth.
De
One novoof theSynthesis of the Enzyme-a-Amylase
Important functions of gibberellins is to cause de nOvo (i.e., a new) synthesis
enzyme - amylase in the alcurone layer surrounding the endosperm of cereal grains
germination. Thisto growing
enzyne brings about hydrolysis of starch to form simple sugars
embryo to provide energy source. (Fig. 17. 17)
which
translocated
For details see Chapter 18