Abstract
Changes in the rooting capativity and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA)‐oxidase activity of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender) cuttings treated with 2‐, 3‐, or 4‐hydroxy‐benzaldehyde (2‐, 3‐ and 4‐OH‐Bal) were monitored in parallel with the chemical changes undergone by these aldehydes in the cuttings. All three compounds enhanced rooting. 2‐OH‐Bal was the most effective and acted synergistically with 10μM IAA at 0.4 mM. 3‐ and 4‐OH‐Bal also stimulated rooting and acted additively with IAA. The position of the hydroxyl group, thus, clearly influences the rooting activity of hydroxy‐benzaldehydes. The action of 2‐OH‐Bal appeared to be due to its inhibition of the IAA‐oxidase activity. All the aldehydes were metabolized chiefly by reduction: after 4 h of treatment, HPLC showed almost all to have been converted to the corresponding alcohol or acid, with an alcohol/acid ratio of 10 for 3‐ and 4‐OH‐Bal and 20 for 2‐OH‐Bal. It is possible that the oxidative effect of the aldehydes may benefit the early stages of root formation.
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