C(2)H(4): Its Incorporation and Metabolism by Pea Seedlings under Aseptic Conditions

The effects of various treatments on the recently reported system in pea (Pisum sativum cv. Alaska), which results in (a) the incorporation of (14)C(2)H(4) into the tissue and (b) the conversion of (14)C(2)H(4) to (14)CO(2), was investigated using 2-day-old etiolated seedlings which exhibit a maximum response. Heat treatment (80 C, 1 min) completely inhibited both a and b, whereas homogenization completely inhibited b but only partially inhibited a. Detaching the cotyledons from the root-shoot axis immediately before exposing the detached cotyledons together with the root-shoot axis to (14)C(2)H(4) markedly reduced both a and b. Increasing the (14)C(2)H(4) concentration from 0.14 to over 100 mul/l progressively increased the rate of a and b with tissue incorporation being greater than (14)C(2)H(4) to (14)CO(2) conversion only below 0.3 mul/l (14)C(2)H(4). Reduction of the O(2) concentration reduced both a and b, with over 99% inhibition occurring under anaerobic conditions. The addition of CO(2) (5%) severely inhibited (14)C(2)H(4) to (14)CO(2) conversion without significantly affecting tissue incorporation. Exposure of etiolated seedlings to fluorescent light during (14)C(2)H(4) treatment was without effect. Similarly, indoleacetic acid, gibberellic acid, benzyladenine, abscisic acid, and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate had no significant effect on either a or b.The possibilities that the incorporation of (14)C(2)H(4) into pea tissues and its conversion to (14)CO(2) is linked to ethylene action, or that it represents a means of reducing the endogenous ethylene level, are discussed.Several problems encountered with the use of polyethylene vials, rubber serum stoppers, Clorox, and microbial contamination are also described.