Dynamics of indole-3-acetic acid during germination of Picea abies seeds

High performance liquid chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to identify indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and indole-3-ethanol as endogenous constituents of germinating Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seeds. Indole-3-methanol was tentatively identified by multiple ion monitoring. The free IAA content of the seeds rose from about 20 ng g(-1) to about 60 ng g(-1) (dry weight) during the first five days of germination and thereafter declined to around 20 ng g(-1). Indole-3-acetic acid released by alkaline hydrolysis, which was initially present at about 110 ng g(-1), decreased to 5-10 ng g(-1) during the first week of germination. The IAA content of seed lots differing in germination behavior was investigated. The findings are discussed in relation to the metabolism of IAA in conifer seeds.