The effect of brassinosteroid on auxin‐induced ethylene production by etiolated mung bean segments

Brassinosteroid, an analogue of brassinolide, (BR) (2α, 3α, 22β, 23β‐tetrahydroxy‐24β‐methyl‐B‐homo‐7‐oxa‐5α‐cholestan‐6‐one), was tested in conjunction with indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), indole‐3‐butyric acid (IBA), indole‐3‐propionic acid (IPA), indole‐3‐pyruvic acid (IPyA), indole‐3‐aldehyde (IAld), indole‐3‐carbinol (ICB) or tryptophan (TRP) for its effects on ethylene production by etiolated mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Rwilcz cv. Berken) hypocotyl segements. The enhancement of ethylene production due to BR was greatest in conjunction with 1 μM IBA, 2,4‐D, IAA, or NAA (these increases were 2580, 2070, 890, and 300%, respectively). When increasing concentrations of IBA, 2,4‐D, IAA, or NAA were used, there was a decrease in the percentage stimulation by BR. Both IPyA and IPA had different optimal concentrations than the other auxins tested. Their BR‐enhanced maximum percentage stimulations (1430 and 1580%) were greatest with 5 μM IPya and 10 μM IPA, respectively. There was a marked reduction in the percentage stimulation by BR with either 100 μM IPyA or IPA. The inactive indoles (IAld, ICB, or TRP) did not synergize with BR at any of the concentrations tested. Four hours following treatment those segments in contact with 1 μM BR with or without the addition of 10 μM IAA began to show a stimulation in ethylene production above the control and this stimulation became greater over the following 20 h. It was necessary for BR to be in continual contact with the tissue to have a stimulatory effect on auxin‐induced ethylene production. When segments excised from greater distances below the hypocotyl hook, were treated with either IAA alone or in combination with BR, there was a decrease in ethylene production with increasing distance. There was no effect of hypocotyl length on BR stimulation of auxin‐induced ethylene production; however, there was a definite decrease in ethylene production when IAA was applied alone.