Abstract: Changes of abscisie acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA3) contents during the release of dormancy in winter bud of Populus tomentosa Carr. were determinedwith GC. After leaf fall in autumn, content of ABA in the bud was 888.0 μg/kg. fr.wt. Obvious decrease in ABA content was observed during the bud released from dormancy. The bud kept in room temperature opened about two months earlier thanthat under natural condition; and the rate of decrease of ABA content in these budwas also more rapid. The ABA contents of buds with similar outer appearance werecompared, either the bud from outside under natural condition or under room temperature, they were similar, although time of their occurrence was quite different, withalmost a difference of about two months. From this fact it has been assumed that thereis a close relationship between the release of dormancy and the decrease in ABA content. Another fact was noticed before Dec. 6, no GA3 could be detected in the dormantbud. From Jan. 9 and thereafter, GA3 content increased gradually and reached itsmaximum (20 μg/kg. fr.wt) by Mar. 19, the bud was inflated. GA3 decreased again as the bud was opened, it seems to be that the process of releasing dormancy in bud mightbe promoted by GA3.

Key words: Populus tomentosa Carr, Abscisic acid, Gibberellin, Release of bud dormancy