Effect of morphactin, gibberellic acid and auxin and on growth and development of Bryophyllum tubiflorum

Abstract

Six month old LD- and SD- grown plants of Bryophyllum tubiflorum were treated with morphactin (n-buty1-9-hydroxy-fluorene-(9)-carboxylate), singly and in combination with GA₃ and IAA. Morphactin and IAA decreased stem elongation and number of leaves, the effect increasing with concentration concentation. Morphactin also caused lateral buds to develop into branches and the fusion of upper leaves to form structures of different shapes. GA₃ enhanced stem elongation, increased leaf number and induced floral buds under SD conditions. It reversed the inhibitory effect of morphactin on stem elongation, leaf number and leaf fusion and also restored apical dominance when applied simultaneously with morphactin. The stimulaneous application of IAA also reversed the morphactin effects on leaf fusion and on apical dominance. The results have been discussed in the light of literature available on the subject.