Plant Physiol. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Plant Physiology 75:1090-1093 (1984)
© 1984 American Society of Plant Biologists

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Articles

Does Pollination Induce Corolla Abscission of Cyclamen Flowers by Promoting Ethylene Production?

Abraham H. Halevy1, Charles S. Whitehead2 and Anton M. Kofranek

Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis, California 95616

Very low ethylene production rates were measured in nonpollinated Cyclamen persicum Mill flowers, and no change in production was observed during the whole life span of the flower until death. Normal senescence was accompanied by a gradual discoloration and loss of turgor followed by wilting. Pollination induced a dramatic increase in ethylene evolution, culminating in a peak 4 days after pollination, and abscission of the corolla on that day. Silver-thiosulfate, an inhibitor of ethylene action, had no effect on longevity of unpollinated flowers, but completely nullified the effect of pollination on corolla abscission. Exposing unpollinated flowers to very high ethylene concentrations (50 microliters per liter) for 48 hours did not promote corolla abscission or senescence. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, the immediate precursor of ethylene, increased ethylene production by unpollinated flowers more than 100-fold, but did not promote corolla abscission. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid did enhance corolla abscission of pollinated flowers. It is concluded that the main effect of pollination in inducing corolla abscission of cyclamen is by rendering the tissue sensitive to ethylene, apart from the promotion of ethylene production.

1 Department of Ornamental Horticulture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P. O. Box 12, Rehovot 76-100, Israel.

2 Present address: Department of Botany, Potchefstroom University for CHE, Potchefstroom, South Africa 2520.




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W. G. VAN DOORN
Does Ethylene Treatment Mimic the Effects of Pollination on Floral Lifespan and Attractiveness?
Ann. Bot., April 1, 2002; 89(4): 375 - 383.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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