CONTENT OF DIFFERENT PHYTOHORMONES AND INDOLE ACETIC-ACID METABOLISM IN ROOT-NODULES OF DERRIS SCANDENS BENTH

The root nodules of leguminous plants created a great interest among s cientists since its significance in nitrogen fixation was established. For the initiation and maintenance of this symbiotic organ, a communi cation between host and symbiont must occur. Plant hormones play an im portant role in the genesis and development of the nodules (VERMA et a l. 1992). Previous studies on plant growth substances of rhizobial roo t nodules were limited to some leguminous agricultural herbs (DULLAART 1967) or some leguminous trees (SINHA and BASU 1981). Twiners and cli mbers remained unexplored. The purpose of this study is to throw some light on the content of different hormones and on indole acetic acid ( IAA) metabolism in the root nodules of a leguminous climbing shrub Del -ris scandens BENTH. (Fabaceae). The plant, which has a thick woody st em, is used as fish poison (SASTHRI 1952). To have an idea on the sour ce of the auxin in the nodules, the symbiont from the nodules was isol ated, identified, and checked for its ability of IAA production in the culture.