Ethylene Biosynthesis and Polyamine and ABA Levels in Cut Carnations Treated with Aminotriazole

Abstract

Treatment of cut `Master' carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) with 50 mm aminotriazole (ATA) in distilled water for 5 days retarded senescence, increased flower longevity by 4 days compared to the control carnations kept in distilled water and inhibited the climacteric peak of ethylene production normally produced during the senescence of these flowers. The treatment had no effect, however, on the levels of the polyamines putrescine and spermidine. Thus, the biosynthetic routes of ethylene and polyamines may not compete for the common precursor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Also, in the petals of the control carnations, increased ethylene production was correlated with increased ion leakage and abscisic acid (ABA) levels. In the ATA treated petals, ion leakage and ABA levels increased later and reached values less than 50% compared to the control carnations. Chemical names used: abscisic acid (ABA), 3-1H-amino-1,2,4-triazole-1-yl (aminotriazole), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), S-adenosyl methionine (SAM).