The Effect of Red Light on the Ethylene Biosynthesis of Intact Etiolated Seedlings

Abstract

The effect of red light on endogenous ethylene production of intact etiolated bean, cucumber, pea and sunflower seedlings of different ages was investigated. The red light response appears to be species- and age-dependent. The red light effect on ethylene biosynthesis of etiolated bean seedlings was studied more in detail. The red light induced decrease of ethylene production in 8 d old bean seedlings is fast, strong and long-lasting and is mediated through the phytochrome system. Both a temporal non-reversible stimulation of ACC-malonylation and a reversible decrease of ACC-formation are responsible for a reduced free-ACC pool and, by consequence, a lower ethylene production level. Evidence for the importance of the work on intact seedlings is presented.