The Role of Plant Hormones in Fruit Development
Starting with the initiation of the ovary primordium, a coordinate study of the hormonal relationships in fruit growth has been attempted with fruits attached on the plants and also by the new technique of in vitro culture. Several phases were recognized in the ontogeny of a fruit. To be able to...
| Summary: | Starting with the initiation of the ovary primordium, a coordinate
study of the hormonal relationships in fruit growth has been
attempted with fruits attached on the plants and also by the new technique
of in vitro culture. Several phases were recognized in the
ontogeny of a fruit. To be able to initiate flower primordia the plant
has first to enter a reproductive condition. The formation of ovary
primordia was studied in some cucurbits, in which it was found
that the environment profoundly influences the apparition of female
vs. male flowers. It has been concluded that these environmental
factors regulate the length of successive phases in cucurbit flowering.
Once initiated, the ovary enlarges regularly, mainly by cell
division until anthesis. If pollination is prevented, ovary growth
ceases at this stage, and there is indication that the auxin level of
the flower decreases. The ovary then shrinks or drops off the
plant. Flower abscission is prevented and growth is stimulated by
the pollen which performs these effects mainly by increasing the
auxin level of the ovary, partly at least through an enzymatic mechanism.
After fertilization fruit growth is controlled by the developing
seeds which release large quantities of auxin, the latter apparently
manufactured in the endosperm. Thus, auxin has been found to affect any stage of fruit development. |
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