Effects of 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid on the rate of ethylene release from detached fruiting spurs and on fruit abscission in apple

Summary

1-Aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid (ACC) was applied to apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) trees or to individual fruiting spurs between full bloom (FB) and 31 d after full bloom (DAFB; mean fruit diameter of 20 mm) to determine the effects of ACC on the ethylene released from detached spurs and on fruit abscission. The rate of ethylene release from detached fruiting spurs increased 1 d after applying 50 mg l^–1 ACC at full bloom or 16 DAFB (mean fruit diameter of 10 mm), but ACC had a reduced effect on the rate of ethylene release when it was applied 31 DAFB (mean fruit diameter of 20 mm). ACC reduced fruit set in ‘GoldRush’ apple in a concentration-dependent manner in 2009 and in 2010, but had no thinning activity on ‘Pink Lady’ in 2010. ACC at 200 mg l^–1 resulted in the yellowing and abscission of ‘GoldRush’ spur leaves in 2009, but not in 2010. The effects of combining ACC and 5 mg l^–1 naphthaleneacetic acid on fruit set in ‘GoldRush’ apple were additive. The application of 200 mg l^–1 ACC when fruit are ca. 10 mm in diameter may therefore be a useful chemical thinning treatment for apple fruit.     

Effects of ethylene,abscisic acid and auxin on fruit abscission in water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.)

Fruit abscission in water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC.) was investigated by measuring fruit removal force (FRF) affected by fruit ages and plant hormones. FRF decreased rapidly 30 days after anthesis (DAA). Ethylene evolution increased rapidly at 35 DAA and ABA concentration increased gradually after 20 DAA. ACC and ethephon decreased the FRF of fruit explants and the promoting effect of ACC was delayed by silver thiosulphate and cycloheximide, but not by norbornadiene and actinomycin D. ABA enhanced fruit abscission without increasing ethylene evolution. However, the observation that CoCl₂ delayed abscission induced by ABA indicates possible involvement of ethylene in the ABA effect. Treatment with NAA, fenoprop and IAA had no effect on 30 DAA fruit explants, but IAA delayed abscission of 25 DAA explants. This suggests that the effect of auxins may differ with fruit age when used as control agents.     

An increase in citrus fruit (Kiyomi tangor) abscission induced by ABA is accompanied by an IAA increase in the abscission zone and ethylene production

Summary

Change in IAA concentrations in the peduncle, branch and intervening abscission zone were measured to clarify the involvement of IAA in citrus fruit drop in response to ABA application. Results indicating the importance of an IAA increase in the abscission zone were obtained. One day after application of ABA, the concentration of IAA in the abscission zone showed a temporary increase and then a decrease. The concentration of IAA in the abscission zone was dependent on the concentration of ABA applied. Changes in the production of ethylene, which is involved in the process of abscission and which is induced by IAA, in explants from treated leafy inflorescences, were examined. The fruit-abscission ratios were also investigated in relation to the time required for preparation. Explants sampled 0±1.d after application showed little abscission or ethylene production during the first 24 h incubation. During the next 24 h, almost all the ABA-applied explants abscinded, as did the control, but the former produced 3±4 times more ethylene. ABA-applied explants, sampled 2.d after application, abscinded and produced ethylene markedly during the first 24.h, whereas the control explants did not abscind. Control and ABA-applied explants, sampled 3 d after application, showed no differences in their abscission ratios and ethylene production. These findings indicate that a temporary IAA rise in the abscission zone, observed one day after application, is involved in ethylene production in ABA-induced citrus fruit drop.     

Methyl jasmonate plays a role in fruit ripening of ‘Pajaro’ strawberry through stimulation of ethylene biosynthesis

The role of methyl jasmonate (MJ) in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv Pajaro) fruit ripening was investigated by monitoring its endogenous concentrations in fruit at various stages of development and the effects of exogenously applied MJ at these stages on ethylene biosynthesis. The concentration of endogenous trans-MJ was significantly higher in the white fruit (31.7–162.2 ng g⁻¹) and decreased sharply in half and fully ripe fruit. Higher concentrations of endogenous trans-MJ at the white stage of strawberry fruit development followed by a decline during fruit ripening indicate that MJ may play an important role in modulating fruit ripening. Significantly increased ethylene production was measured in the fruit when MJ was applied at white, half ripe and at fully ripe stage. The application of MJ (50 μM) resulted in significantly highest ethylene production and increased activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase and ACC oxidase as compared to all other treatments. The effect of exogenously applied MJ on ethylene production, ACC synthase and ACC oxidase activities was dependent on concentration of MJ applied and on fruit developmental stage. In conclusion, MJ in strawberry modulates fruit ripening, as its concentration is higher in white fruit and is declined with the progression of ripening and exogenous application of MJ increases ethylene production, activities of ACC oxidase and ACC synthase depending upon the concentration of MJ applied and fruit developmental stage.     

ABA和乙烯与甜樱桃果实成熟的关系

以‘红灯’甜樱桃为试材,分析了果实生长发育过程中内源脱落酸(ABA)和1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(ACC)含量的变化以及外源ABA和乙烯利处理对果实成熟进程的影响,探讨了ABA和乙烯与甜樱桃果实成熟的关系。结果表明:果皮和果柄中的ABA含量呈逐渐上升的趋势,在花后43d达到最大值。果肉中的ABA含量呈先下降后上升再下降的趋势,在花后14d时含量较高,之后下降,花后25d开始又迅速上升,至花后36d出现一高峰,之后下降。种子中的ABA含量和果肉表现出相似的变化趋势,但ABA峰值的出现早于果肉。ACC含量在果实的整个发育过程中变化不大,并且一直处于很低的水平,最大值不足0.02nmol·g-1FW。外源ABA能促进内源ABA的合成和乙烯的释放,但对内源ACC的变化没有显著影响。乙烯利持续处理能促进乙烯的释放,提高内源ACC的水平。外源ABA能提高甜樱桃果实的成熟度和花青苷含量,促进果实软化。乙烯利处理对果实的硬度、花青苷含量和成熟度指数均没有显著影响。     

The post-harvest ripening of water stressed banana fruits

SUMMARY

Maintaining banana fruit in a low humidity environment accelerated fruit ripening. This was reflected in an earlier increase in respiration and ethylene production and more advanced peel colour and pulp sugars. At the end of the trial the fruit kept in low humidity were yellow with green tips (stage 5) whereas those kept at high humidity were still green (stage 1-2). Fruit kept at low humidity did not show a large increase in pulp ethylene production compared with the fruits stored at high humidity. This difference occurred despite a large increase in the 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) content of both samples, with the low humidity fruit preceding the high by two days. The peel ethylene production of the low humidity stored fruit increased dramatically as the fruit ripened, coinciding with an increase in ACC. The ACC oxidase activity of the peel reflected the ethylene production with a large increase in the low humidity stored fruit and a later, smaller increase in the high humidity stored fruit. The ACC oxidase activity of the pulp of both low and high humidity stored fruit increased gradually during storage. The changes in ethylene production are discussed with reference to banana ripening being regarded as co-ordinated by pulp ethylene production while the peel is passive, depending on pulp ethylene production for degreening.     

Methyl jasmonate and CMN-pyrazole applied alone and in combination can cause mature orange abscission

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) and CMN-pyrazole alone and in combination were applied to ‘Hamlin’ and ‘Valencia’ orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) in seven separate experiments in the 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 growing seasons to induce abscission of mature fruit for mechanical harvesting. MJ alone significantly reduced fruit detachment force (FDF) of ‘Hamlin’ oranges at concentrations of 10 mM and higher. However, MJ at 20 and 100 mM caused significant defoliation. For ‘Hamlin’ oranges, the most effective treatments were those combining 10 mM MJ and 50 mg l⁻¹ CMN-pyrazole, and 20 mM MJ and 25 mg l⁻¹ CMN-pyrazole. ‘Valencia’ oranges did not respond to 10 mM MJ treatments alone or in combination with CMN-pyrazole, and required MJ at 20 mM in combination with CMN-pyrazole to loosen this late-maturing variety to below 50 N, but excessive defoliation occurred.     

Effects of temperature on fruit thinning with ethephon in ‘Golden Delicious’ apples

The effect of temperature on the ability of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon), when applied at 20 mm stage of fruit development, to induce ethylene evolution of fruit and leaves and abscission of fruit and leaves was determined using 9-year-old root-bagged ‘Golden Delicious’/M.27 apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees in environment-controlled growth rooms. Ethephon at 400 μL L⁻¹ effectively thinned apples, and its thinning effect was not affected by increasing day/night temperature from 21.1/10 to 32.2/21.1 °C. Fruit ethylene evolution was enhanced by application of ethephon. Peak fruit ethylene evolution occurred 1 day after application of ethephon when day/night temperature was 32.2/21.1 °C whereas it occurred 2 days after application of ethephon at a day/night temperature of 21.1/10 or 26.7/15.6 °C. Ethephon increased leaf ethylene evolution drastically but it did not induce leaf abscission regardless of temperature.     

Fruit quality in ‘Cripp's Pink’ apple,especially colour,as affected by preharvest sprays of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and ethephon

‘Cripp's Pink’ apple grown in Western Australia often develops poor colour at commercial harvest resulting in economic losses. To determine if fruit colour could be improved without advancing ripening, ‘Cripp's Pink’ apple fruit on trees were sprayed with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) alone, ethephon alone, or AVG followed by ethephon. The experiments were conducted at two different locations in Western Australia in 2002 and 2003. Fruit sprayed with AVG alone had retarded colour development at harvest. However, ethephon applied after AVG enhanced percent red blush, anthocyanin concentration and reduced chlorophyll concentration in the fruit skin in both locations. These fruit had similar colour to those treated with ethephon alone. Internal ethylene concentration and fruit firmness were unaffected by the different treatments in 2002. However, in 2003 AVG with or without ethephon reduced internal ethylene concentration and maintained firmness compared to ethephon alone. In conclusion, AVG treatment alone delayed colour development and ripening of ‘Cripp's Pink’, while AVG application 5 weeks before harvest followed by an ethephon application 2 weeks later enhanced red colour at commercial harvest. This is, therefore, an effective tool for improving colour of ‘Cripp's Pink’ apples at commercial harvest without adversely affecting other fruit quality attributes.     

Identifying the location of olive fruit abscission

For high quality oil, table olive characteristics, and reduction of alternate bearing tendencies, it is often desirable to harvest olive fruits prior to full physiological maturity, that is, before the natural separation zone has differentiated. Olive fruit abscission can occur at different positions, mainly fruit-pedicel, pedicel rachis and peduncle-branch, apparently varying according to cultivar, fruit weight, and fruit maturation. Precisely identifying the location of separation is critical for studying the differentiation of the abscission zone or zones and testing the effectiveness of harvest procedures, including the mode of action of different fruit-loosening chemicals. We determined the olive fruit abscission zone position under natural conditions, throughout the complete fruit maturation period, for two cultivars differing in fruit size. The major separation zone for the cultivars studied was between the fruit and pedicel. For cv. Picual, abscission in zones other that fruit-pedicel occurred in less than 15% of the fruit at all dates throughout the maturation period, whereas in cv. Hojiblanca, the percentages of fruits detached at peduncle-shoot (27%) and pedicel-rachis (19%) were initially substantial, and then decreased progressively during fruit maturation. Our data clearly indicate both varietal and temporal differences which should be taken into account not only when testing fruit-loosening compounds but in extrapolating test results to different varieties or dates. Fruit weight did not appear affect the abscission location. The method we used, of counting the different detached units, is simple and effective for determining the position of fruit abscission.     

1-MCP和AVG对肥城桃果实采后衰老的影响

研究了采前喷AVG、采后1-MCP熏蒸和二者复合处理对肥城桃果实在采后冷藏(0℃)过程中衰老的影响。结果表明,AVG、1-MCP和AVG+1-MCP处理均能显著降低肥城桃冷藏过程中乙烯产生速率,延迟果实衰老,降低脂氧合酶(LOX)活性,显著提高肥城桃冷藏过程中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性,并延迟了LOX和SOD活性峰值的出现。此外,3个处理还不同程度地提高了果实的硬度、减少了果实的失重和冷害的发生。     

Reducing preharvest drop of ‘Temple’ orange fruits by 2,4-D — Role of cellulase in the calyx abscission zone

One or two treatments of 2,4-D (18 p.p.m.) applied to ‘Temple’ orange trees during the last 6 weeks before the regular picking-period in late January, successfully reduced natural preharvest fruit abscission, allowing picking to be delayed by at least one month, and thus producing better external and internal fruit quality. It has been demonstrated for the first time that the delaying effect of auxin treatment on preharvest abscission was directly related to the decrease in the activity of endo- and exo-cellular cellulase. Most of the increase in cellulase activity during the abscission process was, however, due mainly to the activity of exo-cellular cellulase. When frost occurred a few days after application of 2,4-D, the auxin treatment significantly decreased total cellulase activity, thus reducing fruit abscission.The data proved that, except for the difference in the length of time between application and the onset of the hormone effect, the control mechanism of 2,4-D on abscission and on cellulase activity in intact fruit is similar to that previously reported for fruit explants.     

乙烯对荔枝果实成熟的影响

荔枝果实发育过程中,乙烯含量不断下降,转红期（ 花后７０ ｄ 左右） 略有上升,但无明显峰值,后又逐步下降,直到果实成熟。乙烯形成抑制剂ＳＴＳ（ 硫代硫酸银） 显著抑制果实的成熟,转熟前用ＳＴＳ处理荔枝果实,导致果实脱落明显加重,部分果抗病力下降,发病率增加,裂果严重,果实转红变慢,果肉含糖量偏低。上述结果表明,乙烯对荔枝果实的成熟具有积极的促进作用。     

Preharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine treatments reduce internal browning and prolong the shelf-life of early ripening pears

The effect of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on internal browning (IB) and keeping quality of early maturing European pears cv ‘Camusina di Genova’ and ‘Camusina di Bonarcado’ was examined over 10 days of storage at 18 °C. AVG was applied at 125 or 250 mg/L 2 weeks before harvest. At harvest fruit treated with AVG was less ripe than control fruit, being significantly firmer and experiencing lower values of maturity stage (based on ground color), maturity index (calculated value) and IB, depending on the AVG dose and cultivar. During storage, there was no treatment-dependent difference in titratable acidity and total soluble solids of juice, while both treatments reduced ethylene and respiration rates, delayed the ripening process and lowered the incidence of IB and the loss of firmness, especially when applied at 250 mg/L. In addition, AVG treatment significantly reduced decay development in both cultivars, mainly when it was applied at 250 mg/L. This effect was related to the delay of ripen and to possible inhibition of ethylene production by the pathogens and/or infected tissues.     

Application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester reduces mature fruit abscission in Citrus navel cultivars

Summary

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) isopropyl ester has been used extensively, since the 1950’s, to reduce mature fruit abscission in Citrus navel cultivars. However, this synthetic auxin is no longer registered for this purpose in the European Union (EU). 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4-DP) 2-ethylhexyl ester has been registered in the EU for use in citrus growing and can be an effective replacement for 2,4-D to reduce pre-harvest fruit abscission. Use of the 2-ethylhexyl ester of 2,4-DP sprayed before mature fruit abscission significantly reduced fruit drop in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) ‘Washington navel’ and ‘Navelate’. The magnitude of the response depended on the concentration applied. At 15 mg l^–1, the percentage of abscised fruit was reduced by 50–75% compared to untreated trees, depending on the variety and the orchard. Increasing the concentration applied to 50 mg l^–1 did not improve this response. The response to this auxin was as effective as that obtained with 2,4-D applied on the same day at the same concentration (15 mg l^–1). 2, 4-DP treatment had no effect on skin colour or on the internal and external characteristics of the fruit at harvest.     

Sensitivity of Geraldton waxflower to ethylene-induced flower abscission is reduced at low temperature

Summary

Exposure to ethylene gas elicits flower abscission from cut stems of Geraldton waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum Schauer). Ethylene response rates in plants are mediated by temperature. At 20°C, flower abscission from waxflower ‘Purple Pride’ occurred upon 12 h exposure to 1 µ11^–1 ethylene. This ethylene treatment did not cause flower abscission at either 10 or 2°C. Moreover, flowers held at 2°C were insensitive to 48 h exposure to 1, 10 and 100 µ11^–1 ethylene. However, increasing the duration of treatment with 1 µ11^–1 ethylene at 10 and 2°C to 48 and 144 h, respectively, induced flower abscission. When flowers were held at 20°C in air without exogenous ethylene following continuous exposure to 1 µ11^–1 ethylene at 2°C, the duration required to elicit flower abscission was reduced from 144 to 72 h. Collectively, these responses show that maintaining harvested waxflower at low temperature (e.g. 2°C) is an effective means to minimise ethylene-mediated flower abscission.     

The susceptibility of pepper (Capsicum annuum) to heat induced flower abscission: Possible involvement of ethylene

SUMMARY

Heat stress causes abscission of flowers in pepper plants and thus reduces yield. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of ethylene in heat-stress related flower abscission, by comparing the response of flowers of bell pepper, cv. Maor, known to be sensitive to flower abscission, and flowers of paprika, cv. Lehava, a resistant cultivar of Capsicum annuum. Their differing susceptibilities to high temperatures depend on light. Under high-temperature, high-light conditions, bell pepper was less susceptible than paprika, but, under high-temperature low-light, bell pepper was more susceptible. At high temperatures, flower explant abscission was much higher with bell pepper than paprika. Ethylene production (EP) by bell pepper explants reached a maximum at 34°C and decreased at higher temperatures (42 and 48 C), while in paprika EP rates were lower and reached the maximum at 42°C. Explants of bell pepper flowers were more susceptible to exogenous ethephon than paprika flowers. The sensitivity of a collection of pepper cul-tivars to heat induced flower abscission was more closely correlated with their flower sensitivity to ethephon than with the flower EP rate. We suggest that the differential susceptibility of bell pepper and paprika to heat stress is a result of both different ethylene production by their flowers and their differing sensitivities to ethylene produced under high-temperature stress. However, the sensitivity of the flower to ethylene may be more important in inducing their abscission.     

Chemical thinning of ‘satsuma’ mandarin (citrus unshiu marc.) fruit by 1-naphthaleneacetic acid: Role of ethylene and cellulase

Experiments were conducted to find the effects of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on fruit thinning of ‘Satsuma’ mandarins, and to see whether it affected ethylene production and cellulase activity at the abscission zone.NAA at 300 p.p.m. sprayed 25 days after full bloom was found to thin fruit causing a 30% increase in fruit drop in 1973. The following year, however, the effect of spraying was not significant because the overall percentage of fruit set was low. Cellulase activity of abscission zones of NAA-treated fruit showed considerably increased values in 1973, whereas in 1974 cellulase activity of control and NAA-treated fruit showed similar high values reflecting a higher fruit drop from control trees. Yellow, ready-to-abscise fruit from NAA-treated and from control trees produced higher amounts of ethylene than did apparently healthy green fruit from both treated and control trees. Essentially NAA caused no leaf abscission nor any increase in cellulase activity in abscission zones. Ethylene production from the leaves also remained low. Spraying 500 p.p.m. ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) caused severe leaf fall, markedly increased cellulase activity in abscission zones and ethylene production.The mechanism of fruit thinning by NAA is discussed in relation to the role of ethylene and cellulase.     

Control of leaf abscission in nodal cultures of Annona squamosa L.

Summary

Attempts to micropropagate Annona squamosa L. (sugar apple) from nodal expiants have been hindered by complete leaf abscission during establishment in culture. Absorbents and inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis and action were tested in order to control leaf drop. The inhibitors of ethylene action, silver thiosulphate and 2,5- norbornadiene, were more effective in avoiding leaf abscission than absorbents of ethylene, activated charcoal, mercuric Perchlorate and potassium permanganate, or inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, aminooxyacetic acid and cobalt chloride. The results suggest that silver compounds can be used as effective inhibitors of leaf abscission in the establishment of Annona squamosa in culture.     

Effects of growth retarding treatments on apple tree growth,fruit maturation and fruit abscission

SUMMARY

Eight days after petal fall in 1991, mature 'Delicious'/MM. 106 apple trees and four days after petal fall in 1992, mature 'McintoshVMM. 106 were ringed, scored, root pruned (1 m from the trunk, two sides, 30 cm deep), or treated with ethephon (500 mg 1¹). Only ringing and scoring reduced vegetative growth. Ethephon advanced fruit maturation and fruit abscission, but root pruning did not affect the trees or fruit significantly. Mature 'Cort-land'/M.7a apple trees were root pruned 8 d after petal fall in 1991 and/or at full bloom in 1992. Root pruning reduced shoot growth, even in the year after treatment. Fruit abscission was reduced in 1991 and 1992 by root pruning in 1991, but root pruning in 1992 had no impact on abscission, in 1992. In an additional experiment, mature 'Mcintosh'/ MM.106 were root pruned 4 d after petal fall in 1991 or root pruned both in 1991 and at full bloom in 1992. Growth and preharvest fruit abscission were reduced in both the year of root pruning and the year after.