Timing of the response of coleoptiles to the application and withdrawal of various auxins

Abstract

A study was made of the time courses of growth promotion and the reversal of growth promotion upon the addition and withdrawal of various auxins. Growth promotion by 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) occurs more slowly and is less vigorous than growth promotion by the same concentration of indoleacetic acid (IAA). The time required for the reversal of the stimulation of elongation by auxin is many times greater for 2,4-D-stimulated growth than for IAA- or NAA-stimulated growth (80 min vs. about 10 min). This difference appears to be due to the sluggish exit of 2,4-D since (1) experiments with labeled auxins show that 2,4-D moves out of the tissue more slowly than IAA, and (2) it is possible to shorten the time required for a decline in elongation rate after the removal of 2,4-D to 13 min by adding an auxin antagonist (p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid). The rapid reversal of the hormonal stimulation of growth is discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of action of auxin.