Ethylene evolution by juvenile and adult developmental phases of Sequoia sempervirens shoots cultured in vitro.

Abstract

Cultures of juvenile and rejuvenated Sequoia sempervirens shoots generated more ethylene than those of adult shoots. But the higher phytohormone production was only indirectly related to the developmental phase. The juvenile and rejuvenated shoots also grew more rapidly; thus, when measured on a per gram tissue basis the rates of ethylene evolution were the same for tissues of both developmental phases, and even higher for one of the adults. The investigation did not establish whether the faster growth of juvenile and rejuvenated shoots was caused by the ethylene; on the other hand, there was no evidence of inhibitory effects.