The effect of amitrole (3-amino-1H-1,2-4-triazole) on cytokinin activity and sexual reproduction in the yeast Schizosaccharomyces octosporus.

Cytokinin activity in extracts from actively growing cultures of Schizosaccharomyces octosporus was greatly reduced by exposure to amitrole (5 X 10--3M). Amitrole treatment, at the same concentration, stimulated cell enlargment and ascus production in this organism. These data suggest that a relationship may exist between low levels of endogenous cytokinins, cell expansion in preference to cell division, and ascus formation.