Induction of "filamentous structures" in wild type Antirrhinum majus flowers by benzylaminopurine
The cytokinin, N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), when applied to young inflorescences of wild-type Antirrhinum majus L., resulted in the formation of chimeric "filamentous structures" in the dorsal region of the third whorl, the position where a stamen primordium is suppressed in wild-type flowers. In addition, BAP induced similar filamentous structures in between the first and second whorls, and this response was concentration dependent. The basal region of the filamentous structures was similar to the filament of a stamen, while the distal portion resembled a petal. These observations suggest that cytokinins may be site-specific factors involved in the regulation of floral organ identity genes or genes that control floral symmetry, i.e., the CYCLOIDEA gene.Key words: Antirrhinum, benzylaminopurine, cytokinin, filament, floral genes, staminode.