Physiological Effects of Colchicine on Growth and Metabolism of Mungbean (Phaseolus aureus L.) Seedlings and α-Amylase Production in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Endosperm

Abstract

Summary The effects of various concentrations of colchicine on mungbean ( Phaseolus aureus L.) seedling growth were studied. Growth inhibition began at 0.25 mM concentration, the hypocotyls became swollen and roots blunt by colchicine treatment. Gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) was capable of preventing the inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, whereas kinetin could relieve the inhibition of both hypocotyl and root. IAA reversal was of the same order as with simple water. There was accumulation of nucleic acids and decline in protein content in colchicine-treated seedlings resulting in increased RNA/protein and DNA/protein ratios. Colchicine could not induce α-amylase production in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) endosperm halves to a significant level, but could prevent partially GA 3 -induced α-amylase production in this system. Coincident with α-amylase production in rice endosperm, there was an increase in protein content, whereas nucleic acids changed little in this system.