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Updated: May 16, 2026
11:09
Relating Stomatal Conductance to Leaf Functional Traits
Published on: October 12, 2015
Ethylene binding during leaf development and senescence and its inhibition by silver nitrate
R Goren1, A K Mattoo, J D Anderson
1Plant Hormone Laboratory, Agricultural Research Center(W), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, U.S.A.
Journal of Plant Physiology
|December 1, 2012
Summary
Ethylene binding in plant leaves changes during development and senescence. Inhibiting ethylene binding with silver nitrate also prevents chlorophyll breakdown, suggesting a role for ethylene receptors in leaf aging.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ethylene is a plant hormone regulating various developmental processes, including senescence.
- Understanding ethylene's role in leaf senescence requires investigating its binding dynamics in planta.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in situ ethylene binding in developing and senescing leaves of tobacco and cucumber.
- To explore the relationship between ethylene binding and chlorophyll breakdown during senescence.
Main Methods:
- Ethylene binding assays were performed on leaves of Nicotiana tabacum and Cucumis sativus (gynoecious and monoecious genotypes).
- Leaves were analyzed during different developmental and senescence stages.
- The effect of silver nitrate (AgNO3) treatment on ethylene binding and chlorophyll breakdown was assessed.
Main Results:
- Ethylene binding per gram fresh weight remained constant during early tobacco leaf development, decreasing in fully expanded and senescing leaves.
- On a per leaf basis, ethylene binding increased with leaf development.
- Cucumber genotypes showed distinct patterns of ethylene binding changes.
- Silver nitrate treatment significantly reduced ethylene binding and inhibited chlorophyll breakdown in detached leaves.
Conclusions:
- Ethylene binding patterns vary with leaf development and senescence in different plant species and genotypes.
- Ethylene-induced chlorophyll breakdown during leaf senescence may be mediated by the in vivo binding of ethylene to its receptor.
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