Spring Shoot Growth in Douglas-Fir May Be Initiated by Gibberellins Exported from the Roots

Abstract

Trials conducted under controlled environments demonstrated that the delay of bud activity of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings occasioned by low temperature of the soil could be eliminated by application of gibberellic acid. Analyses of field-grown plants showed a parallel increase in bud activity, level of gibberellin-like compounds in xylem sap, and soil temperature during February and March.