FLOWERING IN PYRETHRUM (TANACETUM-CINERARIAEFOLIUM L) .2. CHANGES IN PLANT-GROWTH REGULATOR CONCENTRATIONS

Radioimmunoassays were used to quantify the endogenous concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in pyrethrum during flower initiation and development. The concentrations of gibberellins, abscisic acid, indole acetic acid, zeatin and zeatin riboside, dihydrozeatin and dihydrozeatin riboside, and isopentenyladenine and isopentyladenosine were assayed. Fluctuations in PGR concentrations were correlated with flower bud initiation, flower stem elongation and floral differentiation. The gibberellin concentration increased during vernalization (6 degrees C night temperature), a treatment known to promote floral initiation. A marked increase in gibberellin concentration was correlated with the onset of flower stem elongation. The concentration of the auxin indole acetic acid declined significantly at this time and remained low during flower bud development. Low photon flux density conditions, which retard floral initiation in otherwise inductive vernalizing conditions, failed to induce a decrease in indole acetic acid concentration.