¹⁴C incorporation into sugars and changes in starch during feminization of castor (<i>Ricinus communis</i>), as influenced by kinetin and morphactin

TL;DRAbstract

Foliar sprays of kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) and morphactin EMD 7301 W (methyl ester of chlorfluerenol) were applied at a concentration of 20 ppm to 6- and 8-week-old plants of castor (Ricinus communis L.). Kinetin suppressed male tendency while morphactin did not affect it. Kinetin elicited an increase in femaleness and a decrease in maleness, consequently causing reduction in the total number of flowers, compared with the number of flowers in the control plants. Morphactin simulated kinetin in not only increasing the female tendency but also in increasing the 14 C incorporation into sugars. Increased femaleness did not appear to involve starch hydrolysis however, it was correlated with a higher level of sucrose in the leaves.

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