Movement of Kinetin and Gibberellic Acid in Leaf Petioles during Water Stress-induced Abscission in Cotton.

Movement of [(14)C]kinetin and [(14)C]gibberellic acid was examined in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cotyledonary petiole sections independent of label uptake or exit from the tissue. Sections 20 millimeters in length were taken from well watered, stressed, and poststressed plants. Transport capacity was determined using a pulse-chase technique. Movement of both kinetin and gibberellic acid was found to be nonpolar with a velocity of 1 millimeter per hour or less, suggesting passive diffusion. Neither water stress nor anaerobic conditions during transport of labeled material affected the transport capacity of the petioles.Results suggested strong kinetin binding but weak gibberellic acid binding in the tissue sections. Apparent binding of both growth regulators was unaltered by the experimental conditions. Movement of these two growth regulators within cotton cotyledonary petioles plays a minor role in the stress-induced, foliar abscission process.