Indole-3-acetic acid metabolism and growth in young kiwifruit berry

The patterns of auxin concentration and metabolism were investigated in distinct kiwifruit portions and compared with the rate of fruit growth during early developmental stages. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) level was higher in inner fruit tissues, particularly in younger fruit, while the hormone was barely detectable in outer tissues. Modulation of free IAA concentration did not appear to depend tightly on conjugation of the hormone. Despite the lack of a strong correlation between the levels of IAA and enzymes involved in its catabolism, in some portions of the fruit a low hormone level corresponded to a higher IAA degradation activity. An inverse correlation was also observed between hormone levels and the appearance/increase in some bands with high mobility in peroxidase gel activity assay. Phenols, compounds with a potential auxin-protecting activity, appeared to be involved mostly in photoprotection of the fruit than in the regulation of IAA levels. Beyond catabolism and conjugation, other metabolic pathways, particularly those occurring in the developing seeds, may have decisively influenced auxin levels in fruit tissues, as well as the amount of the hormone exported from the fruit. The latter, estimated by analyzing the concentration of IAA in the sap exuded from the pedicel, showed a time course which was similar to that displayed by inner fruit tissues. Furthermore, similarities were found between the pattern of IAA concentration in inner fruit tissues and fruit growth rate. The possible role of IAA in promoting growth during early fruit development is discussed.