Pistil development in Cleome flowers I. Effects of mineral nutrition and of the presence of leaves and fruits on female abortion in Cleome spinosa Jacq.

Abstract

Summary Pistil development in flower buds of Cleome spinosa Jacq. is stimulated by mineral nutrition and by the presence of mature leaves. Young developing fruits at the inflorescence inhibit pistil development in the flower buds on top. The inhibition coincides with and is partially preceded by a sharp rise in the IAA content of the seeds, which probably affects pistil growth by inducing a competing growth of the fruits. Gibberellins, accumulating towards fruit maturation, play no appreciable role in the effect of fruits on pistil development.