Ethylene-induced Fine Structure Alterations in Cotton and Sugarbeet Radicle Cells

Electron microscopic examination of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) radicles subjected to ethylene at 1, 10, 100 microliters per liter and a saturated ethylene atmosphere showed distinct ultrastructural differences compared to aerobic, control tissue and to anaerobic, nitrogen-treated radicles. Short term ethylene treatments of 1 hour induced the formation of cisternal stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum in undifferentiated radicle cells. Similar profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum were not observed in control radicles, but were found in nitrogen-treated tissues. Additionally, ribosomes in all ethylene-treated radicles were larger than ribosomes in control and nitrogen-treated cells. By ribosome density determinations it was found that the ethylene-treated ribosomes were swollen and less dense. The cell walls of the ethylene-treated tissue were also expanded and less dense than those of control tissue.