Abstract
The effect of two mutations of the tomato known as Never ripe (Nr) and ripening inhibitor (rin) on abscission of the flowers was investigated. In the presence of ethylene the rate of abscission of normal and rin explants was similar, while that of Nr explants was delayed. The appearance and subsequent increases in both polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) and β-1-4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) enzyme activities were similar in normal and rin explants, but retarded in Nr explants. Of these two, only polygalacturonase activity was exclusively associated with abscission-zone tissue.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- PG :
-
Polygalacturonase
- Nr :
-
Never ripe mutation
- rin :
-
ripening inhibitor mutation
References
Almin, K.E., Eriksson, K.E., Janssen, C. (1967) Enzymic degradation of polymers. II. Viscometric determination of cellulase in absolute terms. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 139, 248–253
Basiouny, F.M., Biggs, R.H. (1976) Pectin-polygalacturonase in Citrus. Planta 128, 271–273
Craker, L.E., Abeles, F.B. (1969a) Abscission: quantitative measurement with a recording abscissor. Plant Physiol 44, 1139–1143
Craker, L.E., Abeles, F.B. (1969b) Abscission: role of abscisic acid. Plant Physiol. 44, 1144–1149
Durbin, M.L., Sexton, R., Lewis, L.N. (1981) The use of immunological methods to study the activity of cellulase isoenzymes in bean leaf abscission. Plant Cell Environ. 4, 67–73
Hänisch Ten Cate, Ch.H., van Netter, J., Dortland, J.F., Bruinsma, J. (1975) Cell wall solubilization in pedicel abscission of begonia flower buds. Physiol. Plant. 33, 276–279
Horton, R., Osborne, D.J. (1967) Senescence, abscission and cellulase in Phaseolus vulgaris. Nature (London) 214, 1086–1088
Lowry, O.H., Rosenbrough, N.J., Farr, A.L., Randall, R.J. (1951) Protein measurements with the folin phenol reagent. J. Biol. Chem. 193, 265–275
Morre, D.J. (1968) Cell wall dissolution and enzyme secretion during leaf abscission. Plant Physiol. 43, 1545–1559
Reid, P.D., Strong, H.G., Lew, F., Lewis, L.N. (1974) Cellulase and abscission in the red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Plant Physiol. 53, 732–737
Riov, J. (1974) A polygalacturonase from citrus leaf plants. Plant Physiol. 53, 312–316
Roberts, J.A., Schindler, C.B., Tucker, G.A. (1983) Ethylene-promoted tomato flower abscission and the possible involvement of an inhibitor. Planta 160, 159–163
Rogers, B.J., Hurley, C. (1971) Ethylene and the appearance of an albedo macerating factor in citrus. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 96, 811–813
Tigchelaar, E.C., McGlasson, W.B., Buescher, R.W. (1978) Genetic regulation of tomato fruit ripening. Hortic. Sci. 13, 508–513
Tucker, G.A., Robertson, N.G., Grierson, D. (1980) Changes in polygalacturonase isoenzymes during the ‘ripening’ of normal and mutant tomato fruit. Eur. J. Biochem. 112, 119–124
Valdovinos, J.G., Jensen, T.E. (1968) Fine structure of abscission zones. II. Cell-wall changes in abscising pedicels of tobacco and tomato flowers. Planta 83, 295–302
Webster, B.D. (1973) Anatomical and histochemical changes in leaf abscission. In: Shedding of plant parts, pp. 45–83, Kozlowski, T.T., ed. Academic Press, New York London
Wright, M., Osborne, D.J. (1974) Abscission in Phaseolus vulgaris. The positional differentiation and ethylene-induced expansion growth of specilized cells. Planta 120, 163–170
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tucker, G.A., Schindler, C.B. & Roberts, J.A. Flower abscission in mutant tomato plants. Planta 160, 164–167 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392865
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392865