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Ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene differentially regulate gene expression during onion sprout suppression
Katherine Cools1, Gemma A Chope, John P Hammond
1Plant Science Laboratory, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, United Kingdom.
Plant Physiology
|May 20, 2011
Summary
Ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) both suppress onion sprouting, with combined application showing reduced growth. Continuous ethylene treatment further inhibited sprouting post-storage, indicating ethylene perception even with 1-MCP.
Area of Science:
- Horticulture
- Plant Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Onions (Allium cepa) are typically nonclimacteric, but ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) have been observed to suppress sprouting.
- The underlying mechanism for ethylene and 1-MCP eliciting similar sprout suppression in onions remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of ethylene and 1-MCP on onion sprout suppression.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ethylene and 1-MCP influence sprout growth in onions.
Main Methods:
- Onions were treated with ethylene or 1-MCP individually or in combination before or after curing at different temperatures.
- Post-curing, onions were stored at 1°C under continuous air or ethylene.
- Gene expression analysis using a novel onion microarray was performed to assess changes in photosynthesis-related genes.
Main Results:
- Combined ethylene and 1-MCP treatment after curing significantly reduced sprout growth compared to controls at 25 weeks post-harvest.
- Continuous ethylene treatment was most effective in reducing sprout growth beyond 25 weeks.
- A higher proportion of down-regulated photosynthesis-related genes was observed, supporting the physiological data.
- Onion sprout growth reduction in the combined treatment suggested ethylene perception in the presence of 1-MCP.
Conclusions:
- Both ethylene and 1-MCP down-regulate ethylene receptor and ethylene-insensitive 3 gene expression, indicating a shared pathway in suppressing ethylene perception and signaling.
- Combined ethylene and 1-MCP treatments offer a promising strategy for controlling onion sprouting during storage.
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