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Possible roles of auxin and zeatin for initiating the dwarfing effect of M9 used as apple rootstock or interstock

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Abstract

Endogenous indole-3-acid (IAA) and zeatin (t-Z) may play important roles in the dwarfing mechanisms of rootstocks. The concentrations of IAA and t-Z, as well as the expression of the genes PIN1 and IPT3 were measured in leaves, barks, and roots from nine treatments: M9, Malus X micromalus Makino, Red Fuji/M9/Malus X micromalus, Red Fuji/M9, Red Fuji/Malus X micromalus, M9 rootstock substitution above and below the original graft union, interstock bridging, and interstock bark substitution of M9. The results show that there were greater amounts of t-Z and expressions of IPT3 in invigorated trees (Malus X micromalus and Red Fuji/Malus X micromalus) when compared with dwarfing trees (M9, Red Fuji/M9/Malus X micromalus and Red Fuji/M9) during the period of fast shoot growth (early June to mid-August). Moreover, the variation of IAA contents and PIN1 expressions shared the same pattern with t-Z contents and IPT3 expressions in all the tested locations. IAA content was extremely high in the bark of M9 interstock when compared with that of the scion and the rootstock, yet PIN1 expression in corresponding tissues was very low. After M9 rootstock were substituted above and below the original graft union, contents of t-Z, IAA, and PIN1 expressions in leaves and branch-barks recovered gradually to standard tree levels. However, there is no significant difference between the two treatments. We conclude graft union has no obvious influence on hormone transport. After M9 interstock and its bark were substituted, the hormone measurement of every index was consistent with that of rootstock substitution.

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Abbreviations

MM:

Malus X micromalus Makino

RF/MM:

Red Fuji/Malus X micromalus Makino

RF/M9/MM:

Red Fuji/M9/Malus X micromalus Makino

RSA:

Rootstock substitution above the original graft union

RSB:

Rootstock substitution below the original graft union

IB:

Interstock bridging

IS:

Interstock bark substitution

IAA:

Indole-3-acetic acid

t-Z:

Zeatin

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China under Grant Nos. 2008BAD92B07 and 2006BAD01A1704-10, the National Special Funds for Scientific Research on Public Causes (Agriculture) Project, China (nyhyzx07-024), the Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System (Apple), China, and the Key Laboratory of Beijing Municipality of Stress Physiology and Molecular Biology for Fruit Trees, China.

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  1. Institute of Horticultural Plants, College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Hong Li Li, He Zhang, Chi Yu, Li Ma, Yi Wang, Xin Zhong Zhang & Zhen Hai Han

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  1. Hong Li Li
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  2. He Zhang
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Correspondence to Zhen Hai Han.

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Communicated by P. K. Nagar.

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Li, H.L., Zhang, H., Yu, C. et al. Possible roles of auxin and zeatin for initiating the dwarfing effect of M9 used as apple rootstock or interstock. Acta Physiol Plant 34, 235–244 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0822-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-011-0822-9

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