Physiological gradient of IAA-oxidizing enzyme activities was investigated in order to elucidate the mechanism of shoot differentiation in Cymbidium sp. (‘Jungfrau’) protocorms by using phenolic compounds (2, 4-dichlorophenol, catechol), auxin-inhibitors (PCIB, TIBA), and hormones (GA3, ABA, BA). The activity of IAA oxidase was decreased in protocorms treated with catechol decreased the catalytic activity of IAA oxidase or TIBA but this enzyme activity was increased after a temporary decrease at initial stages in the presence of 2, 4-dichlorophenol or PCIB. The activity of IAA oxidase in BA-treated protocorms (white and crown gall-like) was the highest of all. However, the catalytic activity of peroxidase increased after a temporary decrease at initial period. These results suggest that shoot differentiation and growth may be influenced by effective IAA levels in the protocorms causing IAA-oxidizing enzyme and phenolic compounds.