Gibberellins in seedlings and flowering trees of Prunus avium L

Extracts of acids from mature seeds, germinating seeds, first, second and third year seedlings as well as mature, flowering trees of sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L. cv. Stella) were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The presence of the known gibberellins (GAs) GA 1 ( 1), GA 3 ( 4), GA 5 ( 7), GA 8 ( 11), GA 19 ( 14), GA 20 ( 12), GA 29 ( 13), GA 32 ( 5), GA 85 ( 2), GA 86 ( 3) and GA 87 ( 6) was confirmed by comparison of their mass spectra and Kovats retention indices with those of standards or literature values. In addition, 16α,17-dihydrodihydroxy GA 25 ( 16) was identified and its stereochemistry confirmed by rational synthesis. The 12α,13-dihydroxy GAs, GA 32 ( 5), GA 85 ( 2), GA 86 ( 3) and GA 87 ( 6), were detected in mature seeds, germinating seeds and young seedlings, but not in flowering plants. The 13-hydroxy GAs, GA 1 ( 1) and GA 3 ( 4), were present in germinating seeds and, in addition to these, GA 5 ( 7), GA 8 ( 11), GA 19 ( 14), GA 20 ( 12) and GA 29 ( 13) were detected in seedlings and mature flowering plants. In germinating seeds and seedlings (while the plants were growing actively), concentrations of the 12α,13-dihydroxy GAs, measured by bioassay, declined and those of the 13-hydroxy GAs increased. The results are discussed with reference to the known and predicted effects of the GAs on the vegetative growth and flowering of P. avium plants.