Skip to main content
Log in

Gibberellin formation in microorganisms

Plant Growth Regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several microorganisms possess the capacity of synthesizing gibberellins (GAs) in axenic culture. GA concentrations in the range of approximately 20 to 200 milligrams per litre of culture filtrate are produced by wild-type strains of the following fungi: Gibberella fujikuroi (GA3, GA4, GA7, GA1 and others), Sphaceloma manihoticola and other species of this genus (GA4, GA9 and others), Phaeosphaeria sp. (GA1, GA4, GA9 and others). Neurospora crassa is capable of producing GA3 in the range of micrograms per kilogram of mycelium. Nanogram amounts per litre of culture are present in fermentations of the bacteria Rhizobium phaseoli (GA1, GA4, GA9, GA20) and in Azospirillum lipoferum and A. brasilense (GA1, GA3). Of the high-producing organisms, G. fujikuroi and the Sphaceloma spp. appear to have an almost identical GA metabolism except that Sphaceloma is, in particular, unable to produce GA7 and GA1. Phaeosphaeria sp. converts GA9 via GA4 or GA20 into GA1, reactions not known from G. fujikuroi. Generally however, GA metabolism in these organisms appears to be very similar to the one known from higher plants. Most likely, the GAs formed play no hormonal or other immediate physiological role in the producing organism and can, thus, be regarded as secondary metabolites. On the other hand, evidence is available that GA-producing microorganisms often induce reactions in host plants which are beneficial to their growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ashman PJ, Mackenzie A and Bramley PM (1990) Characterization of ent-kaurene oxidase activity from Gibberella fujikuroi. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1036: 151–157

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Atzorn R, Crozier A, Wheeler CT and Sandberg G (1988) Production of gibberellins and indole-3-acetic acid by Rhizobium phaseoli in relation to nodulation of Phaseolus vulgaris roots. Planta 175: 532–538

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bearder JR (1980) Plant hormones and other growth substances—their background, structures and occurrence. In: J MacMillan (ed) Hormonal Regulation of Development I. Molecular Aspects of Plant Hormones. Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology New Series, Vol. 1, pp. 9–112. Berlin: Springer-Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bearder JR (1983) In vivo diterpenoid biosynthesis in Gibberella fujikuroi: The pathway after ent-kaurene. In: Crozier A (ed) The Biochemistry and Physiology of Gibberellins, Vol. 1, pp. 251–387. New York: Praeger Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bopp M (1990) Plant Hormones in lower plants. In: Pharis RP and Rood SB (eds) Plant Growth Substances 1988, pp. 1–10. Berlin: Springer-Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  6. Borrow A, Brian PW, Chester VE, Curtis PJ, Hemming HG, Henehan C, Jefferys EG, Lloyd PB, Nixon IS, Norris GLF and Radley M (1955) Gibberellic acid, a metabolic product of the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi: some observations on its production and isolation. J Sci Food Agric 6: 340–348

    Google Scholar 

  7. Borrow A, Brown S, Jeffery EG, Kessell RHJ, Lloyd EC, Lloyd RB, Rothwell A, Rothwell B and Swait JC (1964) The kinetics of metabolism of Gibberella fujikuroi in stirred culture. Can J Microbiol 10: 407–444

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bottini R, Fulchieri M, Pearce D and Pharis RP (1989) Identification of gibberellins A1, A3 and iso-A3 in cultures of Azospirillum lipoferum. Plant Physiol 90: 45–47

    Google Scholar 

  9. Brian PW, Grove JF and MacMillan J (1960) The gibberellins. Fortschr Chem Org Naturst 18: 350–433

    Google Scholar 

  10. Brückner B and Blechschmidt D (1991a) The gibberellin fermentation. Crit Rev Biotechnol 11: 163–192

    Google Scholar 

  11. Brückner B and Blechschmidt D (1991b) Nitrogen regulation of gibberellin biosynthesis in Gibberella fujikuroi. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 35: 646–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Bu'lock JD, Detroy RW, Hostalek Z and Munim-Al-Shakarchi A (1974) Regulation of secondary biosynthesis in Gibberella fujikuroi. Trans Brit Mycol Soc 62: 77–389

    Google Scholar 

  13. Candau R, Avalos J and Cerda-Olmedo E (1992) Regulation of gibberellin biosynthesis in Gibberella fujikuroi. Plant Physiol 100: 1184–1188

    Google Scholar 

  14. Carlson RD, Chang N, Black-Schaefer C and Fugiel JA (1992) Efficacy of Release seed treatment in California rice production systems. In: Proceedings of the 4th Annual Conference of the Western Plant Growth Regulator Society, Sacramento, January 22–23, 1992, pp. 109–129. WPGRS, Freemont

    Google Scholar 

  15. Chailakhyan MKH, Aseeva IJ and Khlopenkova LP (1958) Gibberellin-like substances formed by soil yeasts. Dokl Akad Nauk USSR 123: 274–276 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Cihangir N and Aksöz N (1993) The optimal cultural parameters for the production of gibberellic acid by Aspergillus niger. Doga Turk Biyol Derg 17: 63–74 (in Turkish)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Coolbaugh RC (1983) Early stages of gibberellin biosynthesis. In: A Crozier (ed) The Biochemistry and Physiology of Gibberellins, Vol. 1, pp. 53–98. New York: Praeger Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  18. Coolbaugh RC, Heil DR and West CA (1982) Comparative effects of substituted pyrimidines on growth and gibberellin biosynthesis in Gibberella fujikuroi. Plant Physiol 69: 712–716

    Google Scholar 

  19. Coolbaugh RC, Al-Nimri RF and Nester JE (1985) Evidence for gibberellins in culture filtrates of Cercospora rosicola. In: Bopp M, Knoop B and Rademacher W (eds) Abstracts of the 12th International Conference on Plant Growth Substances, Heidelberg, August 26–31, 1985, p. 12

  20. Cross BE, Grove JF, MacMillan J and Mulholland TPC (1956) Gibberellic acid, Part IV. The structures of gibberic and allogibberic acids and possible structures for gibberellic acid. Chem Ind (London): 954–955

  21. Crozier A, Sandberg G, Wheeler CT, Ernstsen A, Atzorn R, Monteiro AM, Jasmi JM and Arruda P (1989) Phytohormone production by nitrogen fixing bacteria. In: Kutacek M, Bandurski RS and Krekule J (eds) Physiology and Biochemistry of Auxins in Plants, pp. 67–75. The Hague: SPB Academic Publishing

    Google Scholar 

  22. Curtis RW (1957) Survey of fungi and actinomycetes for compounds possessing gibberellin-like activity. Science 125: 646

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Dangar TK and Basu PS (1987) Studies on plant growth substances, IAA metabolism and nitrogenase activity in root nodules of Phaseolus aureus Roxb. var. mungo. Biol Plant 29: 350–354

    Google Scholar 

  24. Döbereiner J and Pedrosa FO (1987) Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria in Nonleguminous Crop Plants. Science Tech Publishers, Madison; Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 155 pp

    Google Scholar 

  25. Dobert RC, Rood SB and Blevins DG (1992a) Gibberellins and the legume-Rhizobium symbiosis. Plant Physiol 98: 221–224

    Google Scholar 

  26. Dobert RC, Rood SB and Blevins DG (1992b) Rhizobial-induced increase in internode length and identification of endogenous GAs of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp) stems and nodules. J Plant Growth Regul 11: 155–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Dockerill B and Hanson JR (1978) The fate of C-20 in C19 gibberellin biosynthesis. Phytochem 17: 701–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Dullaart J and Duba LI (1970) Presence of gibberellin-like substances and their possible role in auxin bioproduction in root nodules and roots of Lupinus luteus L.. Acta Bot Neerl 19: 877–883

    Google Scholar 

  29. Evensen K and Blevins DG (1981) Differences in endogenous levels of gibberellin-like substances in nodules of Phaseolus lunatus L. plants inoculated with two Rhizobium strains. Plant Physiol 68: 195–198

    Google Scholar 

  30. Fulchieri M, Lucangeli C and Bottini R (1993) Inoculation with Azospirillum lipoferum affects growth and gibberellin status of corn seedling roots. Plant Cell Physiol 34: 1305–1309

    Google Scholar 

  31. Furuya M and Takeno K (1983) Gibberellins in algae and higher cryptogams. In: A Crozier (ed) The Biochemistry and Physiology of Gibberellins, Vol. 2, pp. 189–220. New York: Praeger Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  32. Geissman TA, Verbiscar AJ, Phinney BO and Cragg G (1966) Studies on the biosynthesis of gibberellins from (−)-kaurenoic acid in cultures of Gibberella fujikuroi. Phytochem 5: 933–947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Graebe JE (1987) Gibberellin biosynthesis and control. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 38: 419–465

    Google Scholar 

  34. Graebe JE and Ropers HJ (1978) Gibberellins. In: Letham DS, Goodwin PB and Higgins TJV (eds) Phytohormones and Related Compounds: A Comprehensive Treatise, Vol. 1, pp. 107–204. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press

    Google Scholar 

  35. Graebe JE, Hedden P and Rademacher W (1980) Gibberellin biosynthesis. In: Lenton J (ed) Gibberellins—Chemistry, Physiology and Use, Monograph No. 5, pp. 31–47. Wantage: British Plant Growth Regulator Group

    Google Scholar 

  36. Hedden P, MacMillan J and Phinney BO (1978) The metabolism of the gibberellins. Anu Rev Plant Physiol 29: 149–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Hoad GV (1983) Gibberellin bioassays and structure-activity relationships. In: A Crozier (ed) The Biochemistry and Physiology of Gibberellins, Vol. 2, pp. 57–94. New York: Praeger Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  38. Janzen RA, Rood SB, Dormaar JF and Mcgill WB (1992) Azospirillum brasilense produces gibberellin in pure culture and chemically-defined medium and in co-culture on straw. Soil Biol Biochem 24: 1061–1064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Jefferys EG (1970) The gibberellin fermentation. Adv Appl Microbiol 13: 283–316

    Google Scholar 

  40. Jennings JC, Coolbaugh RC, Nakata DA and West C (1993) Characterization and solubilization of kaurenoic acid hydroxylase from Gibberella fujikuroi. Plant Physiol 101: 925–930

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kato J, Katsumi M, Tamura S and Sakurai A (1968) Plant growth-regulating activities of helminthosporol and its derivatives. In: Wightman F and Setterfield G (eds) Biochemistry and Physiology of Plant Growth Substances, pp. 347–359. Ottawa: The Runge Press

    Google Scholar 

  42. Katznelson G. and Cole SE (1965) Production of gibberellin-like substances by bacteria and actinomycetes. Can J Microbiol 11: 733–741

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Kawaide H and Sassa T (1993) Accumulation of gibberellin A1 and the metabolism of gibberellin A9 to gibberellin A1 in a Phaeospheria sp. L487 culture. Biosci Biotech Biochem 57: 1403–1405

    Google Scholar 

  44. Kawaide H, Sassa T and Kamiya Y (1993) Gibberellin biosynthesis in a new gibberellin-producing fungus Phaeosphaeria sp. L487: new biosynthetic pathways of gibberellin A1 and conversion from mevalonic acid to gibberellin A1. In: Book of Abstracts: Frontiers of Gibberellin Research, RIKEN, Tokyo, September 5–7, 1993

    Google Scholar 

  45. Kawanabe Y, Yamane H, Murayama T, Takahashi N and Nakamura T (1983) Identification of gibberellin A3 in mycelia of Neurospora crassa. Agric Biol Chem 47: 1693–1694

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kawanabe Y, Yamane H, Takahashi N and Nakamura T (1985) Identification of GA3 in Neurospora crassa and its changes during conidial germination and mycelial growth. Agric Biol Chem 49: 2447–2450

    Google Scholar 

  47. Kurosawa E (1926) Experimental studies on the nature of the substance excreted by the “bakanae” fungus. Trans Nat Hist Soc Formosa 16: 213–227 (in Japanese; quoted from [64]

    Google Scholar 

  48. Lluch C, Ligero F and Olivares J (1983) Efecto de las gibberlinas producidas por Rhizobium meliloti en la nodulacion de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Anal Edaf Agrobiol 42: 793–805

    Google Scholar 

  49. Lozano JC (1972) In CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical) Annual Report 1972. 192 pp. CIAT, Cali, Colombia

    Google Scholar 

  50. MacMillan J and Takahashi N (1968) Proposed procedure for the allocation of trivial names to the gibberellins. Nature 217: 170–171

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Mander LN (1991) Recent progress in the chemistry and biology of gibberellins. Sci Progress Oxford 75: 33–50

    Google Scholar 

  52. Mander LN (1992) The chemistry of gibberelling: An overview. Chem Rev 92: 573–612

    Google Scholar 

  53. Martin GC (1983) Commercial uses of gibberellins. In: A Crozier (ed) The Biochemistry and Physiology of Gibberellins, Vol. 2, 395–444. New York: Praeger Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  54. Murayama T and Nakamura T (1972) In: Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Botanical Society of Japan, p. 132 (in Japanese; quoted from [45])

  55. Muromtsev GS and Globus GA (1976) Adaptive significance of the ability to synthesize gibberellins for the phytopathogenic fungus Gibberella fujikuroi. Dokl Akad Nauk USSR 226: 204–206 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Nakajima H, Hamasaki T, Maeta S, Kimura Y and Takeuchi Y (1990) A plant growth regulator produced by the fungus Cochliobulus spicifer. Phytochem 29: 1739–1743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Nakamura T, Kawanabe Y, Takiyama E, Takahashi N and Murayama T (1978) Effects of auxin and gibberellin on conidial germination in Neurospora crassa. Plant Cell Physiol 19: 705–709

    Google Scholar 

  58. Nakamura T, Mitsuoka K, Sugano M, Tomita K and Murayama T (1985) Effects of auxin and gibberellin on conidial germination and elongation of young hyphae in Gibberella fujikuroi and Penicillium notatum. Plant Cell Physiol 26: 1433–1437

    Google Scholar 

  59. Pegg GF (1973a) Gibberellin-like substances in the sporophores of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach J Exp Bot 24: 675–688

    Google Scholar 

  60. Pegg GF (1973b) Occurrence of gibberellin-like growth substances in basidiomycete sporophores. Trans Brit Mycol Soc 61: 277–286

    Google Scholar 

  61. Pegg GF (1983) Pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms and insects. In: Pharis RP and Reid DM (eds) Hormonal Regulation of Development III. Role of Environmental Factors. Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology New Series, Vol. 11, pp. 599–624. Berlin: Springer-Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  62. Phinney BO and Katsumi M (1982) Some generalization on the biosynthesis of gibberellins. Plant Cell Physiol 21: 933–937

    Google Scholar 

  63. Phinney BO (1979) Gibberellin biosynthesis in the fungus Gibberella fujikuroi and in higher plants. In: Mandava NB (ed) Plant Growth Substances, ACS Symposium Series 111, pp. 57–78. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society

    Google Scholar 

  64. Phinney BO (1983) The history of gibberellins. In: Crozier A (ed) The Biochemistry and Physiology of Gibberellins, Vol. 1, pp. 1–18. New York: Praeger Publishers

    Google Scholar 

  65. Pokojska-Burdziej A (1981) The effect of culture medium composition and incubation time on synthesis of gibberellin-like substances by bacteria isolated from the roots of pine seedlings (Pinus silvestris L.). Acta Microbiol Pol 30: 203–212

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Prema P, Thakur MS, Prapulla SG, Ramakrishna SV and Lonsane BK (1988) Production of gibberellic acid by solid state fermentation: potential and feasibility. Indian J Microbiol 28: 78–81

    Google Scholar 

  67. Rademacher W and Graebe JE (1979) Gibberellin A4 produced by Sphaceloma manihoticola, the cause of the superelongation disease of cassava (Manihot esculenta). Biochem Biophys Res Commun 91: 35–40

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Rademacher W, Jung J, Laatsch H, Rave-Fränk M, Hedden P and Graebe JE (1982) Production of gibberellin A4 and other GAs by the fungus Sphaceloma manihoticola. In: Abstracts of the Eleventh International Conference on Plant Growth Substances, Aberystwyth, July 12–16, 1982, p. 8

  69. Rademacher W (1991) Biochemical effects of plant growth retardants. In: Gausman HW (ed) Plant Biochemical Regulators, pp. 169–200. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Rademacher W (1992a) Occurrence and identity of gibberellins in different species of the fungal genera Sphaceloma and Elsinoe. Phytochem 31: 4155–4157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Rademacher W (1992b) Inhibition of gibberellin production by plant growth retardants in the fungi Gibberella fujikuroi and Sphaceloma manihoticola. Plant Physiol 100: 625–629

    Google Scholar 

  72. Rademacher W (1993) PGRs—present situation and outlook. Acta Hort 329: 296–302

    Google Scholar 

  73. Radley M (1961) Gibberellin-like substances in plants. Nature 191: 684–685

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Rave-Fränk M (1980) Gibberellinproduktion bei Sphaceloma manihoticola. Diploma Thesis, University of Göttingen

  75. Sassa T, Suzuki K and Haruki E (1989) Isolation and identification of gibberellins A4 and A9 from a fungus Phaeosphaeria sp.. Agric Biol Chem 53: 303–304

    Google Scholar 

  76. Shechter I and West CA (1969) Biosynthesis of gibberellins. IV. Biosynthesis of cyclic diterpenes from trans-geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate. J Biol Chem: 3200–3209

  77. Stodola FH (1958) Source Book on Gibberellin 1828–1957. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Ill.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Stowe BB and Yamaki T (1957) The history of the physiological action of the gibberellins. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 8: 181–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Takenaka M, Hayashi K, Ogawa T, Kimura S and Tanaka T (1992) Lowered virulence to rice plants and decreased biosynthesis of gibberellins in mutants of Gibberella fujikuroi selected with pefurazoate. J Pestic Sci 17: 213–220

    Google Scholar 

  80. Tamura S (1991) Historical aspects of gibberellins. In: Takahashi N, Phinney BO and MacMillan J (eds) Gibberellins, pp. 1–8. New York: Springer-Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  81. Thomas WT (1991) Agricultural Chemicals, Book III-Miscellaneous Agricultural Chemicals, pp 31–36. Fresno, CA: Thomson Publications

    Google Scholar 

  82. Tien TM, Gaskins MH and Hubbell DH (1979) Plant growth substances produced by Azospirillum brasilense and their effect on the growth of pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.). Appl Environ Microbiol 37: 1016–1024

    Google Scholar 

  83. Tomita K, Murayama T and Nakamura T (1984) Effects of auxin and gibberellin on elongation of young hyphae in Neurospora crassa. Plant Cell Physiol 25: 355–358

    Google Scholar 

  84. Triplett EW, Heitholt JJ, Evensen KB and Blevins DG (1981) Increase in internode length of Phaseolus lunatus L. caused by inoculation with a nitrate reductase-deficient strain of Rhizobium sp.. Plant Physiol 67: 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  85. Williams PM and Sicardi De Mallorca M (1982) Abscisic acid and gibberellin-like substances in roots and root nodules of Glycine max. Plant Soil 65: 19–26

    Google Scholar 

  86. Yamane H (1992) Antheridiogens and gibberellins in ferns. In: Carlson RD (ed) Proceedings of the Plant Growth Regulator Society of America-1992, pp. 23–27. Research Triangle Park, NC: Plant Growth Regulator Society of America

    Google Scholar 

  87. Yamane H, Yamaguchi M, Kobayashi M, Takahashi M, Sato Y, takahashi N, Iwatsuki K, Phinney BO, Spray CR, Gaskin P and MacMillan J (1985) Identification of ten gibberellins from sporophytes of the tree fern, Cyathea australis. Plant Physiol 78: 899–903

    Google Scholar 

  88. Zak JC 1976) Pathogenicity of a gibberellin-producing and a nonproducing strain of Fusarium moniliforme in oats as determined by a colorimetric assay for N-acetyl glucosamine. Mycologia 68: 151–158

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Zeigler RS and Lozano JC (1983) The relationship of some Elsinoe and Sphaceloma species pathogenic on cassava and other Euphorbiaceae in Central and South America. Phytopathol 73: 293–300

    Google Scholar 

  90. Zeigler RS, Powell LE and Thurston HD (1980) Gibberellin A4 production by Sphaceloma manihoticola, causal agent of cassava superelongation disease. Phytopathol 70: 589–593

    Google Scholar 

  91. Zimmer W and Bothe H (1988) The phytohormonal interactions between Azospirillum and wheat. Plant Soil 110: 239–247

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rademacher, W. Gibberellin formation in microorganisms. Plant Growth Regul 15, 303–314 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029903

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029903

Key words

Navigation