Phenyl indole-3-thiolobutyrate increases growth of transplanted 1-0 red oak

The basal 1 cm of taproot of dormant bareroot 1-0 red oak (Quercusrubra L.) seedlings were given a 3-s dip in 20, 40, or 80 mM concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), phenyl indole-3-thiolobutyrate (P-ITB), or equal parts IBA and P-ITB at 20 or 40 mM concentrations. Sixty control seedlings were dipped in 95% ethanol, while 30 seedlings were used for each auxin treatment. Seedlings were potted on May 12, 1986, and grown outdoors. At the end of the 104-day study period, all concentrations of IBA and P-ITB significantly increased number of roots regenerated (from 5.3 with 20 mM IBA to 11.9 for 80 mM IBA) compared with control seedlings. However, P-ITB-treated seedlings produced significantly more leaves (20-24) and leaf area (320-472 cm 2 ), and up to 10 g more dry weight than IBA and non-auxin-treated seedlings. P-ITB treated seedlings had higher relative growth and net assimilation rates and lower leaf area ratio than IBA-treated or control seedlings. Seedlings treated with 20 mM of equal parts IBA and P-ITB were similar to P-ITB-treated seedlings while seedlings treated with the 40 mM IBA and P-ITB combination were similar to IBA-treated seedlings.