Effect of several growth regulators and of aetiolation on chestnut lignification

Abstract

The effects of the growth regula tors a-napht ha lenacetic acid (NAA), 3-ind olebutyric acid (IBA) and maleic hydrazide (MH) on the li gnification of 2-month-old chestnut sprouts (F 4 of Castanea sativa Mill . x Castanea cre~wta Siebb. et Zucc.), both with and without aetiolation, were studied. The resul ts obtained show that aetio lation on its own ha s no effect on li gnification .Treatments with IBA + NAA or with MH significantly promoted lignification. When, however, auxines were admini stered in combination with aetiolation, the promotion effect was significantly stronger.