Question

Clearly explain and distinguish the role of ethylene as a plant hormone. What were the two inhibitors you use? How did they affect the ethylene pathway? What did you predict in terms of which would be more effective, and which concentrations? How did your predictions compare to results?

Answer 1

Ethylene is a gaseous phytohormone which used for the plant in the association of the fruit ripening and triple response ( Reduced stem elongation, horizontal growth, and stem thickening).

Physiological effects :

1. Flowering : Ethylene induces flowering in most of the families like bromeliaceae (Pine apple and mango)
2. Ripening of the fruits and imparts taste, texture and characterstic odour, softening, starch hydrolysis, organic acids disappearance.
3. Rooting process : It includes in the formation of roots and root hairs, so that absorptive capacity increased.
4. Epinasty : Curvature of the leaves when the upper side of the leaves are faster in growth than lower side so that its curved to acclimitise.
5. Abscission : Shredding of the leaves, flowers are induced by the ethylene.

INHIBITORS OF ETHYLENE
To overcome the loss of sensence and ripening of fruits all the time , we need to regulate the ethylene levels by adding of the inhibitors which blocks the ethylene biosynthesis pathway.

Researchers developed some potent inhibitors which blocks the ethylene biosynthesis, and perception.

1. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine AVG

2. Amino oxyacetic acid AOA

Silver salts are used for the inhibiting the ethylene action, these are substrate analogues to the ethylene so it blocks the functions of the ethylene, but reverting back is some times delay or impossibke also it results decay of fruit without ripens also happens. Ethylene perception inhibitor like 1-methylcyclopropene is most commonly used now a days.

Concentration : 0.7nl to 1 MCP concentration of the ethylene inhibitors are used for the inhibiting the ethylene sysnthesis.