THE DISTRIBUTION OF GIBBERELLINS IN VEGETATIVE TISSUES OF PISUM-SATIVUM L .1. BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE LE MUTATION

The concentrations of endogenous gibberellin (GA) 1, 5, 8, 19, 20, and 29 in the component tissues of maturing tall (Le) and dwarf (le) pea (Pisum sativum) plants have been determined. The following conclusions were drawn from the data obtained: (a) GA20 and its metabolites accumulate only in the growing regions of Le and le plants; (b) the le mutation is biochemically expressed in all immature tissues of the dwarf plants; (c) the quantitative composition of the GA metabolites in the various immature tissues is variable; (d) the total GA concentration in apical buds, unexpanded leaves, and tendrils is considerably higher than in GA1-responsive stem tissue; and (e) there is very little GA accumulation of the inactive 2-beta-hydroxylated GAs (GA8 and GA29) in either the mature vegetative tissues or the roots of pea plants.