Abstract
Although endogenous hormones play an important role in flower bud differentiation and seed-filling, their effects on the flowering and fruiting of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. remain unknown. In the present study, we investigate the differences in the levels of endogenous hormones gibberellic acid (GA), abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin riboside (ZR), and indoleacetic acid (IAA) between the fruiting and seedless plants of G. uralensis Fisch. at different growth stages. We also determine the correlations of the endogenous hormone with the rates of flower and fruit falling, rate of empty seeds, rate of shrunken grains, and thousand kernel weight (TKW). The results demonstrate that the IAA and ZR levels of the flowering plants are significantly higher than those of the nonflowering plants at the flower bud differentiation stage. The GA and ABA levels of exfoliated inflorescence plants are considerably higher than those of the flowering and fruiting plants; the rates of falling flowers and fruit are negatively correlated with the IAA level and positively correlated with the ABA level. The ABA content of nonflowering plants is significantly higher than that of fruiting plants. The ZR:GA and IAA:ABA ratios are significantly positively correlated with TKW. The IAA:GA and IAA:ABA ratios are significantly negatively correlated with the rates of empty and shrunken seeds. Thus, we speculate that high IAA and ZR contents are good for flower bud differentiation and seed-filling, and low ABA and ZR contents are beneficial to flower bud development and seed-filling.
Highlights
Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., a perennial herb of the Leguminosae family [1], is a common bulk herb in China and has been widely used in the medical, food, tobacco, fodder, and cosmetic industries [2,3,4].Wild G. uralensis has been the main source of licorice for decades
We speculate that high indoleacetic acid (IAA) and zeatin riboside (ZR) contents are good for flower bud differentiation and seed-filling, and low abscisic acid (ABA) and ZR contents are beneficial to flower bud development and seed-filling
The content of endogenous hormones is closely related to the flowering and fruiting of G. uralensis
Summary
Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., a perennial herb of the Leguminosae family [1], is a common bulk herb in China and has been widely used in the medical, food, tobacco, fodder, and cosmetic industries [2,3,4]. Wild G. uralensis has been the main source of licorice for decades. Overharvesting has gradually exhausted wild resources, and cultivated G. uralensis has become an alternative source. Exhibits seed propagation, its seed yield is low and its fruiting rate under natural conditions is only 10–21% [5]. The current G. uralensis production fails to satisfy the industrial demand. Flower bud differentiation and seed-filling are essential in the fruiting process of plants
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