Effect of gibberellins and the growth retardant CCC on the nodulation of soya

Abstract

The effect of exogenous applications of gibberellins (GAs) or the growth retardant β-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride (CCC) on root nodule formation and activity (C2H2-reduction) in soya was studied. Daily foliar application of GA3 (2.89×10−6 M) delayed the formation of nodule initials and reduced the numbers mass nodule−1 and specific activity of nodules by 43%, 31% and 47% respectively, without affecting plant growth. Similar effects on nodulation were produced by foliar application of GA4 (3.01×10−5 M) or GA7 (3.03×10−5 M), or by the addition of GA3 (2.89×10−6 M) to the rooting medium. GA effectiveness in reducing nodule numbers was decreased by delaying its application until after the initial infection process had occurred, but the nodules formed were smaller and less active than those of the untreated control plants. The GA effect on nodulation and nodule activity was not associated with alterations in root exudate or due to a direct inhibitory effect of the hormone on the nitrogenase system. When the endogenous root content of GA-like substances was reduced (86% decrease) by foliar application of CCC (6.30×10−5 M), nodule numbers were increased by 56%, but nodule size and total nodule activity were similar to those of control plants. The GA and CCC treatments had no effect on rhizobial growth in liquid culture nor on root colonisation by rhizobia. The results suggest that the endogenous content of root GA may have a regulatory role in both the infection process and in subsequent nodule morphogenesis, thus controlling both the number and effectiveness of the root nodules formed.