Roles of auxin and gibberellin in gravity-induced tension wood formation in Aesculus turbinata seedlings

The lowest nodes of 6-week-old Aesculus turbinata seedlings were treated with uniconazole-P, an inhibitor of gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis, or a mixture of uniconazole-P and GA(3) in acetone solution. To the seedling stems, an inhibitor of auxin transport (NPA) or inhibitors of auxin action (raphanusanin or MBOA) were applied in lanolin paste. The seedlings were tilted at a 45degrees angle and kept for 10 weeks before histological analysis. Decreases in both normal and tension wood formation followed the application of uniconazole-P. The application of GA(3) together with uniconazole-P partially negated the effect of uniconazole-P alone. The application of NPA inhibited tension wood formation at, above, and below the lanolin-treated portions. The treatment of raphanusanin or MBOA also resulted in decreases in tension wood formation at the treated portions. The inhibitory effects of these chemicals applied on the upper side of tilted stems or around the entire stem were greater than on the lower side. The application of uniconazole-P in combination with raphanusanin, MBOA or NPA showed synergistic effects on the inhibition of tension wood formation. The results suggest that both auxin and GA regulate the quantitative production of tension wood fibers and are essential to tension wood formation.