Root buds of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L. # EPHES) were found to be quiescent during most of the growing season due to correlative inhibition rather than innate dormancy. Excised root buds taken from plants that were fully flowering showed reduced elongation, indicating a period of innate dormancy. This innate dormancy could be eliminated by chilling plants for 8 days at 4 C. Root buds from plants showing late summer regrowth were no longer innately dormant. IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and NAA (1-napthaleneacetic acid) completely inhibited the growth of excised leafy spurge root buds at concentrations of 10−3 and 10−5 M, respectively. A significant increase in root bud elongation was produced by 1 mM TIBA (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid) applied to stem and root tissue. These data provide further evidence for the involvement of IAA in correlative control of root bud growth in leafy spurge.
