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Ethylene synthesis and sensitivity in crop plants
Stephen P Klassen1, Bruce Bugbee
1Crop Physiology Laboratory, Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4820, USA.
Hortscience : a Publication of the American Society for Horticultural Science
|March 18, 2005
Summary
Plant growth chambers can produce artifacts due to ethylene accumulation. This overview examines ethylene synthesis and sensitivity in plants, highlighting knowledge gaps in understanding its impact on whole plant responses to stress.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Plant Biochemistry
Background:
- Plant growth chambers are crucial for physiological studies, including gas exchange measurements.
- Accumulation of gaseous plant metabolites, particularly ethylene (C2H4), can cause measurement artifacts.
- Current understanding of ethylene synthesis and sensitivity across the plant life cycle is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of fundamental research on ethylene synthesis and sensitivity in plants.
- To highlight the impact of ethylene accumulation in controlled environments.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding ethylene's role in plant responses to stress.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ethylene synthesis and plant physiology.
- Analysis of factors influencing ethylene production and plant sensitivity.
- Discussion of challenges in quantifying whole-plant ethylene responses.
Main Results:
- Ethylene (C2H4) is a significant gaseous byproduct affecting plant physiology studies.
- Limited data exists on ethylene synthesis rates throughout the plant life cycle.
- Plant sensitivity to ethylene, especially in rapidly growing plants and under stress, is poorly quantified.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to accurately quantify ethylene synthesis and sensitivity in plants.
- Understanding ethylene's role is critical for interpreting physiological measurements in growth chambers.
- Addressing knowledge gaps in ethylene biology is essential for advancing plant science and crop improvement.
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