Abstract
The loss of the antiethylene activity of Ag+ on leaf abscission by incubation in the dark was investigated. When primary leaves were removed from cuttings of Vigna radiata previously sprayed with AgNO3, dark-induced abscission of the petioles was inhibited, compared to untreated leafless controls, in the presence or absence of ethephon, an ethylene-releasing compound. Malformin did not negate inhibition of petiole abscission induced by Ag+. Although leaf removal restored the antiethylene activity of Ag+ in the dark, macerates of leaves from dark-aged cuttings did not negate the ability of Ag+ to inhibit petiole abscission in the dark. Abscisic acid completely abolished the ability of Ag+ to counteract ethephon-induced leaf abscission in the light, and almost completely abolished the Ag+-induced inhibition of petiole abscission from explants in the dark. It is proposed that the phytochrome requirement for the antiethylene activity of Ag+ on ethephon-induced leaf abscission involves prevention of the formation, accumulation, or transport of a substance in leaves in the dark which negates Ag+ activity. This substance may be abscisic acid or another substance with similar biological activity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aharoni N, Andersen JD & Lieberman M 1979 Production and action of ethylene in senescing leaf discs. Effects of indoleacetic acid, kinetin, silver ion, and carbon dioxide. Plant Physiol. 64, 805–809.
Beutelmann P & Kende H 1977 Membrane lipids in senescing flower tissue of Ipomea tricolor. Plant Physiol. 59, 883–893.
Beyer EM Jr 1976 A potent inhibitor of ethylene action in plants. Plant Physiol. 58, 268–271.
Beyer EM Jr 1979 Effect of silver ion, carbon dioxide, and oxygen on ethylene action and metabolism. Plant Physiol. 63, 169–173.
Curtis RW 1978 Participation of phytochrome in the light inhibition of malformin-induced abscission. Plant Physiol. 19, 289–297.
Curtis RW 1981 Light requirement for AgNO3 inhibiton of Ethrel-induced leaf abscission from cuttings of Vigna radiata. Plant Physiol. 68, 1249–1252.
Curtis RW 1981 Malformin negates the inhibition of Ethrel-induced leaf abscission by AgNO3. Plant & Cell Physiol. 22, 789–796.
Curtis RW 1982 Phytochrome requirement for antiethylene activity of AgNO3 with regard to ethephon-induced leaf abscission by Vigna radiata. J. Plant Growth Reg. in press.
Dimalla GG & Van Staden J 1980 The effect of silver thiosulphate preservative on the physiology of cut carnations. I. Influence on longevity and carbohydrate status. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 99, 9–17.
Guinn G 1982 Fruit age and changes in abscisic acid content, ethylene production, and abscission rate of cotton fruits. Plant Physiol. 69, 349–352.
Milborrow BV 1974 The chemistry and physiology of abscisic acid. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 25, 259–307.
Purvis AC 1980 Sequence of chloroplast degreening in Calamondin fruit as influenced by ethylene and AgNO3. Plant Physiol. 66, 624–627.
Saltveit ME, Bradford KJ & Dilley DR 1978 Silver ion inhibits ethylene synthesis and action in ripening fruits. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 103, 472–475.
Takahashi N & Curtis RW 1961 Isolation and characterization of malformin. Plant Physiol. 36, 30–36.
Tucker DJ 1976 Effects of far-red light on the hormonal control of side shoot growth in the tomato. Ann. Bot. 40, 1033–1042.
Van Staden J & Dimalla GG 1980 The effect of silver thiosulphate preservative on the physiology of cut carnations. II. Influence of endogenous cytokinins. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 99, 19–26.
Veen H & van de Geijn SC 1978 Mobility and ionic forms of silver as related to longevity of cut carnations. Planta 140, 93–96.
Walton DC 1980 Biochemistry and physiology of abscisic acid. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31, 453–489.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Curtis, R.W. An explanation for the light requirement of AgNO3 to inhibit ethylene-induced abscission. Plant Growth Regul 1, 119–138 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024505
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024505