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Tannins as gibberellin antagonists
M R Corcoran1, T A Geissman, B O Phinney
1Department of Biology, San Fernando Valley State College, Northridge, California 91324.
Plant Physiology
|March 1, 1972
Summary
Tannins inhibit gibberellin-induced plant growth, with effects reversed by adding more gibberellin. Related compounds also showed some inhibition, but less than tannins. This suggests tannins specifically antagonize gibberellin in plants.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Phytochemistry
Background:
- Gibberellins are plant hormones crucial for growth and development.
- Tannins are a diverse group of phenolic compounds found in plants.
- The interaction between tannins and plant hormones is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inhibitory effects of tannins on gibberellin-induced plant growth.
- To determine if tannins specifically antagonize gibberellins or other growth promoters.
- To explore the potential of tannins as plant growth regulators.
Main Methods:
- Tested chemically defined hydrolyzable and impure condensed tannins on light-grown dwarf pea seedlings.
- Assessed the impact of various tannin-to-gibberellic acid ratios on induced growth.
- Evaluated the effect of tannins on endogenous growth and growth induced by indoleacetic acid in cucumber seedlings.
Main Results:
- Tannins significantly inhibited gibberellin-induced growth in pea and cucumber seedlings, with inhibition ranging from 50% to 95% at high ratios.
- Inhibition was reversible by increasing gibberellin concentration, indicating specific antagonism.
- Tannins did not inhibit endogenous growth and did not inhibit indoleacetic acid-induced growth in cucumbers; some even enhanced it.
Conclusions:
- Tannins act as specific antagonists to gibberellin-induced growth in plants.
- The inhibitory effect is dose-dependent and specific to gibberellins, not other growth promoters like indoleacetic acid.
- Tannins show potential for modulating plant growth, offering avenues for agricultural applications.
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