Abstract
Endogenous auxin levels and auxin transport were studied in relation to natural parthenocarpy in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under various environmental conditions. Bioassays of chromatographed ether extracts from ovaries of parthenocarpic and non-parthenocarpic plants demonstrated no differences in auxin -like growth promoting activity when grown under medium to low light intensities. However, under high light intensities significantly greater auxin -like activity was measured in extracts from parthenocarpic than in nonparthenocarpic ovaries. There were also significantly higher levels of diffusable growth promoter activity in the ovaries of parthenocarpic plants. The basipetal transport of IAA-1- ¹⁴C in excised 20 mm peduncle sections was determined by dividing them into 2 mm segments for liquid scintillation counting at 1 and 3 hr following pulse labeling using agar blocks. Basipetal auxin transport was higher in parthenocarpic plants compared to non-parthenocarpic under medium to low light intensities. The data support the hypothesis that under low light intensities differences in endogenous auxin levels cannot be demonstrated because of increased basipetal transport in parthenocarpic peduncle tissue.
Shellenberger, Ronald Gene (1975). The role of auxin in parthenocarpic fruit set in cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -184393.