Patterns of ethylene production in senescing leaves
Changes in the patterns of ethylene production, chlorophyll content, and respiration were studied in relation to the senescence of intact leaves and leaf discs. The primary leaves of pinto bean, which abscise readily during natural senescence, and tobacco and sugar beet leaves, which do not abscise, were used. A decrease in the rate of ethylene production and respiration, during the slow phase of chlorophyll degradation, was observed in leaf-blade discs cut from mature leaves and aged in the dark. During rapid chlorophyll loss both ethylene production and respiration increased and then decreased. Discs taken from leaves that had been senescing on the plant also showed a climatic-like rise in ethylene production but not in respiration, which decreased continuously with leaf age. The rise of ethylene and respiration is characteristic of the general process of senescence in leaves and is not restricted to the abscission process. The rise of ethylene production appears to be associated with the rapid phase of chlorophyll breakdown, and may indicate the final stage of the senescence process during which ethylene could be actively involved in inducing leaf abscission. 27 references, 5 figures, 1 table.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD
- OSTI ID:
- 5729451
- Journal Information:
- Plant Physiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Plant Physiol.; (United States) Vol. 64:5; ISSN PLPHA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics in relationship to changes in pigment and element composition of leaves of Platanus occidentalis L. during autumnal leaf senescence
Effect of ozone and ozonated 1-hexene on respiration and photosynthesis of leaves
Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AGE DEPENDENCE
ALKENES
BEETS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLOROPHYLL
CORRELATIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ETHYLENE
FOOD
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROCARBONS
INHIBITION
LEAVES
LEGUMINOSAE
NICOTIANA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASEOLUS
PHYTOCHROMES
PIGMENTS
PLANTS
PORPHYRINS
RESPIRATION
STIMULATION
SUGAR BEETS
SYNTHESIS
VEGETABLES