Effects of GA3 and ABA on the respiratory pathways during the secondary bud burst in black currants

The effects of exogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) on the total respiratory rate, percentages of total respiratory rate contributed by respiratory pathways [Embden-Meyerhof- Parnas Pathway (EMP), Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP), and Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA)], and conversion of starch to soluble sugars in the buds of black currants during secondary bud burst were investigated to determine the relationship between respiratory rates and secondary bud burst. ‘Adelinia’, a black currant cultivar that is prone to secondary bud burst after the first harvest, was used in this study. Mature bushes of Adelinia were sprayed with 30 mg/L GA3 and 50 mg/L ABA to manipulate bud burst. The results showed that exogenous applications of GA3 and ABA had opposite effects on bud respiratory rate. Generally, GA3 treatment increased the total respiratory rate and respiratory rate of the TCA and PPP, and the respiratory rates after GA3 treatment were higher than those of control. While ABA treatment mostly decreased the total respiratory rate and the respiratory rate of TCA and PPP in buds in comparison to control. In terms of the percentage of the three respiratory rates in comparison to the total respiratory rate, GA3 treatment significantly increased the percentage of TCA and PPP respiratory rate in comparison to the control (P < 0.01), whereas ABA decreased the rates. GA3 significantly increased the content of soluble sugars and decreased the starch content, while the starch content in buds after ABA treatment was significantly higher than that of the control. All results showed that PPP is a critical process for the second bud burst in black currants. While the EMP–TCA pathway is still dominant in bud respiration, provides a series of basic materials and energy (ATP). The conversion of starch to soluble sugars is essential for bud burst. Thus, we conclude that an energy shortage is a main contributor in ABA inhibition of the secondary bud burst of black currants.