A cytokinin glucoside from the leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Phaseolus vulgaris plants decapitated above the primary leaves accumulate high cytokinin activity. The major cytokinin in these leaves was identified by Sephadex LH 20 chromatography, sensitivity to β-glucosidase and permanganate oxidation, and by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as 6-(4-O-β-D-glucosyl-3-methylbutylamino) purine, (dihydrozeatin-O-β-D-glucoside). A possible reason for the persistance of this compound in the primary leaves is discussed.