N. Shlamovitz et al., LIGHT, DARK AND GROWTH-REGULATOR INVOLVEMENT IN GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA L) POD DEVELOPMENT, Plant growth regulation, 16(1), 1995, pp. 37-42
Gynophore elongation and pod formation were studied in peanut plants (
Arachis hypogaea L.) under light and dark conditions in vivo. The gyno
phores elongated until pod formation was initiated. Pod (3-20 mm lengt
h) development could be totally controlled by alternating dark (switch
ed on) and light (switched off) conditions, repeatedly. Gynophore elon
gation responded conversely to light/dark conditions, compared to pods
. In this study we aimed to correlate the light/dark effects with endo
genous growth substances. The levels of endogenous growth substances w
ere determined in the different stags of pod development. Gynophores s
hortly after penetration into the soil, 'white' gynophores, released t
wice the amount of ethylene as compared to the aerial green ones, or t
o gynophores bearing pods. Ethylene inhibitors had no effect on the pe
rcent of gynophores that developed pods, but affected pod size which w
ere smaller compared to the control. A similar level of IAA was extrac
ted from gynophore tips of green gynophores, 'white' gynophores and po
ds. ABA levels differed between the three stages and were highest in t
he green gynophores and lowest in the pods.