Morphactin IT Research Articles

Effect of morphactin IT 3456 (methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-(9)-carboxylate) on parthenocarpic fruit development of tomatoes

It was found that parthenocarpy could be induced by morphactin IT 3456 (0.5 and 1 ppm) in prior emasculated flowers, those left to free-pollination and even flowers pollinated with the pollen of control plants (New Yorker). When morphactin IT 3456 in 0.5 and 1 ppm concentrations was used 88% and 100% of parthenocarpy was noted in the greenhouse, respectively (Earliest of All). The higest percentage of parthenocarpy in the total number of fruits in the field was recorded in the 'New Yorker' variety. The lowest percentage of parthenocarpy was observed in the variety 903. The symptoms of the destructive influence of morphactin IT 3456 (0.5 and 1 ppm) on plant development were noted, but they were stronger in the greenhouse than in the field.

Some observations upon the influence of morphactin IT 3456 applied into the soil on the yield of tomatoes

It was found that the application of 25 ml of morphactin IT 3456 solution in 0.25; 0.5 and 1 ppm concentrations into 4.8 kg of soil (air dry matter) caused an increase of the total number and weight of fruits in the 'New Yorker' tomato variety. In contrast, a higher dose (50 ml) of the morphactin solution in 5 ppm concentration applied into 4.7 kg of soil (air dry matter) caused a considerable decrease of the number and weight of all fruits, the deformation of fruits and the seasonal blight of plants as well. Morphactin IT 3456 applied into 7.2 kg of pure sand (air dry matter) in 50 ml of the solution in 1 ppm concentration caused much more damage of the plants than observed in the plants grown in the soil treated with the IT 3456 solution in four smaller concentrations. When 50 ml of morphactin IT 3456 solution in 5 ppm (soil) and 1 ppm (sand) concentration was used, from 74.2 to 100% of parthenocarpy was found. In the remaining combinations development of parthenocarpic fruits was observed sporadically.

Physiological and biochemical effects of morphactin IT 3233 on callus and tumour tissues of Nicotiana tabacum L. cultured in vitro. I. Growth and nitrogen compounds content

A significant limitation of callus tissue growth was noted in <i>Nicotiana tabacum</i> L. cultured in vitro under the influence of morphactin IT 3233 applied in 10 - 40 mg/dm<sup>3</sup> concentrations. Growth inhibition was associated with an increase in dry mass content and the contribution of protein N to the nitrogen, pool. Tumour tissue of tobacco under the same conditions reacted weaker to morphactin. Growth limitation reached 25 per cent as compared with the control, dry mass and nitrogen compounds content showed only slight variations. It is supposed that the different sensitivity of both types of tissues to morphactin is connected with their different hormonal metabolism.

Physiological and biochemical effects of morphactin IT 3233 on callus and tumour tissues of Nicotiana tabacum L. cultured in vitro. II. Protein synthesis and respiratory activity

It was found that the inhibition of callus tissue growth in <i>Nicotiana tabacum</i> L. cultured <i>in vitro</i> by the application of morphactin IT 3233 is associated with a rise of the protein level in spite of a 50 per cent depression of its synthesis. Respiratory activity of these tissues is also lowered. Tumour tissues, on the other hand, show only light changes in the parameters studied. It would seem that morphactin depresses a metabolic activity in the callus tissues, and probably causes deposition of a, large quantity of metabolically inactive proteins.

Changes in auxin activity in tumourous and normal tobacco calluses treated with morphactin IT 3233

The addition of morphactin IT 3233 in 1-40 mg/dm<sup>3</sup> concentrations to the medium inhibited the growth <i>in vitro</i> of normal and tumourous tobacco calluses. The auxin activity (estimated by the <i>Avena</i> coleoptile straight growth test) of the acid ether extracts from these tissues increased. The activity of zone I (R<sub>f</sub> 0.2-0.4, 0.5, solvent system: butanol:water:ammonia 10:10:1) in normal tissues increased more intensively than that of zone II (Rf 0.6-0.8, 0.9). In tumourous tissues, however, these changes were smaller and they concerned merely zone I of auxin activity (R<sub>f</sub> 0.0-0.5). It seems that the mechanism of morphactin activity in both kinds of tissue is different. It may be supposed that the excessive accumulation of auxins induces growth inhibition of tissues. A previously found increase in the activity of IAA-oxidase influenced by morphactin might be considered as an adaptation to a higher level of IAA.

Physiological and biochemical effects of morphactin IT 3233 on callus and tumour tissues of Nicotiana tabacum L. cultured in vitro. IV. IAA oxidase activity. Oat coleoptile biotest

IAA oxidase activity in callus and tumour tissue of tobacco subjected to the action of morphactin IT 3233 for shorter and longer periods was determined. Control tumour tissue shows an activity higher by about 40 per cent as compared with that of callus tissue. Morphactin applied for a short time (24-h incubation) does not change the activity of the enzyme. When application is prolonged, a considerable enhancement (up to 140%) of the enzyme activity in callus tissue is observed in dependence on the morphactin concentration. In tumour tissues the activity is stimulated by 45 per cent as compared to control. Oat coleoptile elongation growth induced by IAA is limited to 40 per cent when morphactin is added in the concentrations used for tobacco tissue cultures. The possibility of the morphactin action on tissue growth via IAA metabolism is discussed.

Physiological and biochemical effects of morphactin IT 3233 on callus and tumour tissues of Nicotiana tabacum L. cultured in vitro III. Transamination processes catalysed by aminotransferase L-alanine: 2-oxoglutarate

An active alanine transaminase was found both in callus and tumour tissues of tobacco. The enzyme is more active in the latter tissue, and the reaction balance is strongly shifted towards alanine production, while in callus tissue towards glutamic acid formation. Morphactin applied to the tissue cultures stimulates markedly the enzyme activity only in callus. A negative correlation was observed between the intensity of transamination processes and enhanced synthesis of proteins in the tissues studied. Morphactin disturbs nitrogen metabolism in the callus tissue. Tumour tissue is more resistant to the action of this substance. The different hormonal activities in these tissues may be the cause of the different effects of morphactin.

Induced structural changes in anatomy of apple shoots after treatment with morphactin IT 3456 and other growth regulators (NAA, GA, BA)

Induced structural changes in anatomy of apple shoots after treatment with morphactin IT 3456 and other growth regulators (NAA, GA, BA)

The changes in anatomical structures Pisum sativum L. seedlings after treatment with morphactin IT 3456 and benzyladenine

The changes in anatomical structures Pisum sativum L. seedlings after treatment with morphactin IT 3456 and benzyladenine

Modifications in regeneration of Saintpaulia ionantha Wendl. leaves, due to morphactin added to in vitro cultures

The paper reports the results of experiments on the course of leaf regeneratian in <i>Saintpaulia ionantha</i> Wendl. <i>in vitro</i> culture, depending on morphactin IT 3456 doses and its relation with kinetin and auxins (IAA and NAA). Morphactin retards regeneration, abolishes its polarity, inhibits root formation and causes developmental anomalies of buds and leaves. Kinetin and IAA neutralize the retardation of regeneration caused by morphactin, auxin and finetin do not prevent the anomalies.

Differential effects of auxin polar transport inhibitors on rooting in some Crassulaceae species

Effects of auxin polar transport inhibitors, 2,3,5-triio-dobenzoic acid (TIBA), 1-<em>N</em>-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) and methyl 2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate (morphactin IT 3456), as a lanolin paste, on root formation in cuttings of some species of Crassulaceae, such as <em>Bryophyllum daigremontianum, B. calycinum, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana </em>and <em>K. tubiflora</em>, were studied. Cuttings of these plants were easily rooted in water without any treatment. TIBA and morphactin IT 3456 completely inhibited root formation in the cuttings of these plants but NPA did not when these inhibitors were applied around the stem below the leaves. When TIBA and morphactin were applied around the stem near the top, but leaves were present below the treatment, the root formation was observed in <em>B. calycinum </em>and <em>K. blossfeldiana </em>but in a smaller degree than in control cuttings. These results strongly suggest that endogenous auxin is required for root formation in cuttings of Crassulaceae plants. The differential mode of action of NPA is discussed together with its effect on auxin polar transport.

Effects of auxin polar transport inhibitors on the growth of the excised fourth internode in tulips

ABSTRACT Effects of auxin polar transport inhibitors: methyl 2-chloro-9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylate (morphactin IT 3456), 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) and N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) on elongation growth of the excised fourth internode of tulips (Tulipa gesneriana L.) cv. Apeldoorn were studied. After removal of flower bud, the continuing elongation of the excised fourth internode kept in water in normal or inverted position was observed, the elongation in inverted position being significantly higher than that in the normal position. On the other hand, the application of these inhibitors (0.2%, w/w in lanolin) in the place of removed flower bud substantially enhanced the elongation, the stimulation being much higher in the normal position than in the inverted one. When the inhibitors were applied in the middle or 1 cm from the base of the internode, the growth-promoting effect of these inhibitors was observed both in the upper and lower part of the internode, being greater in the upper part of the internode, regardless of the position of explants. Simultaneous application of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.1%, w/w in lanolin) at the place of the removed flower bud in the normal position with morphactin, TIBA and NPA applied in the middle or 1 cm from the base of the excised internode greatly stimulated the elongation, whereas almost no growthpromoting effect of these inhibitors was observed, in comparison to IAA. On the contrary, when IAA was applied on the base of the excised internode in the inverted position, the growth was inhibited, compared to that with lanolin only. The inhibitory effect of auxin was eliminated by the simultaneous application of morphactin, TIBA and NPA placed in the middle of the excised internode. These results suggest that auxin levels in the excised internode regulated by auxin polar transport play a crucial role in the regulation of its elongation growth.

Anatomical observations on the influence of morphactin on wood formation of Carpinus betulus L. and Syringa vulgaris L. shoots

The effect of morphactin IT 3456 on wood differentiation in <em>Carptinus betulus</em> and <em>Syringa vulgaris</em> was studied. In both species morphactin strongly stimulated production of wood but xylary differentiation was abnormal. Cellular differentiation was altered in that vessels were considerably smaller on transverse section and shorter than normal. Fibers and tracheids were also much ,shorter. It appeared that all cell types were disorientated from their longitudinal axis. It is probable that the effect of morphactin is caused by an inhibition of basipetal auxin transport and by the disturbance of general cell polarity during cambial divisions.

Effect of morphactin on stem growth in relation to auxin in precooled rooted tulip bulbs

Effect of morphactin IT 3456, an auxin transport inhibitor, on tulip stem elongation induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was investigated. Tulip stem growth induced by IAA 0.1 % in lanolin paste applied on the top internode after excision of flower bud and removal of all leaves was greatly inhibited by 0.2 % morphactin IT 3456 applied on the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st internode. The inhibitory effect of the morphactin on tulips stem growth promoted by IAA was restored by additional application of IAA below the morphactin treatment place. Morphactin inhibited also the growth of all internodes induced by flower bud in the absence of leaves. These results suggest a crucial role of auxin in the control growth of all internodes in tulip stem.

Vegetative Propagation in Everbearing Strawberry as Influenced by a Morphactin, GA3, and BA 1

Abstract Applications of the morphactin IT 3456 (methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxy-fluorene-9-carboxylate) (Fragaria × ananassa Duch., cv. Rabunda) at concentrations of 10 to 200 ppm promoted crown division; IT 3456 at 15 ppm with benzyladenine (BA) stimulated vegetative propagation, evaluated by adding the total number of runner plants to that of side-crowns. Gibberellic acid (GA3) alone or morphactin with GA3 had no significant effect on runnering or lateral branching.

Morphological and anatomical changes in the roots of apple seedlings treated with morphactin IT 3456 and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)

On the roots of the unchilled apple seedlings treated with morphactin many deformed adventitious shoots were formed, whereas when the roots were dipped in the mixture of morphactin and NAA more adventitious roots were produced than when only NAA was used. The growth of these lateral roots was greatly inhibited. Similar interaction of NAA with morphactin in the development of roots was obtained when the chilled seedlings were treated with these growth regulators before the buds developed. The sections of the roots from all the treatments were made and the anatomy studied.

Effect of Ethephon and A Morphactin on Growth and Fruiting of 'Thompson Seedless' and 'Carignane' Grapes

Ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid] and a morphactin IT 3456 (methyl-2-chloro-9-hydroxy-fluorene-9-carboxylate) were applied as sprays to 9Thompson Seedless9 and 9Carignane9 grapes at prebloom, bloom, fruit set, or 2 weeks after fruit set. Ethephon was used at 30, 300, and 3,000 ppm, and morphactin at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ppm. On 9Thompson Seedless,9 morphactin at 100 ppm resulted in much leaf cupping and abnormal venation. Prebloom and bloom treatments had more formative effects than did later applications. However, axillary bud growth was stimulated by sprays at fruit set and after fruit set. The response of 9Carignane9 was similar but less marked. Ethephon at 3,000 ppm applied at prebloom or bloom to 9Thompson Seedless9 caused curling of shoot tips and development of abscission layers at the apical nodes. Ethephon reduced the crop on 9Thompson Seedless9 at almost every level tested, and 30 ppm was effective at the prebloom stage. With 9Carignane9, fruit set was reduced by all concentrations of ethephon except with the treatment after fruit set. Morphactin reduced the crop of 9Thompson Seedless9 the most when applied at prebloom or fruit set, and 9Carignane9 was most sensitive at the first three growth stages. In the season following treatment, bud break was usually delayed on 9Thompson Seedless9 that had been treated with ethephon; but morphactin delayed bud break only when 100 ppm was applied at prebloom. Both ethephon and morphactin applied at the high rate usually reduced the number of clusters the following year. Growth of ethephontreated 9Thompson Seedless9 vines was weak, especially with the higher concentration. Results with 9Carignane9 were similar to those of 9Thompson 9Seedless9. Main veins of the leaves and clusters of 9Carignane9 treated with morphactin were fasciated, though vine vigor was normal. With later dates of treatment, damage on leaves and clusters was closer to the apex.