Possible mechanism of gibberellin-induced chlorosis in lettuce seedlings

Effects of gibberellin A3 (GA) on growth, pigments, protein, and nucleic acid content of the cotyledons of lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids) are reported. GA treatment increased both the total shoot and cotyledon fresh weights, and decreased chlorophyll content per cotyledon and on a dry weight basis. GA also decreased the protein content of the cotyledon, but increased the level of RNA and DNA measured on a dry weight basis. The hormone had no effect on the pheophytin: chlorophyll ratio, but increased the ratios of chlorophyll a: chlorophyll b, phytol: chlorophyll, and carotene: chlorophyll. GA also increased the sugar content of the cotyledons. Treatment of excised cotyledons with glucose had an effect similar to that of GA on chlorophyll and protein content. The data are discussed in relation to the mechanism of GA-induced chlorosis.