Barley Endosperm Bioassay for Gibberellins. I. Parameters of the Response System

Abstract

Parameters of the bioassay based on the gibberellin-induced reducing sugar release of barley endosperm were investigated. Procedures for the rapid handling and processing of up to several hundred treatments without loss in sensitivity of the test are described, and the effects of variations in many aspects of the bioassay were assessed. In general, the variations in varieties, techniques, additives, conditions, and even gibberellins, all illustrate the stability, sensitivity, and adaptability of the hormone-induced response and emphasize its utility as a gibberellin bioassay.