Effects Of Ethephon Research Articles

Impacts of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and ethephon treatments on expression of aquaporin (AQP) genes during apple fruit ripening

The main aim of the present study was to determine the effects of ethephon (ET) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments on expression of aquaporin (AQP) genes during apple fruit ripening. The harvested apples were treated with 1-MCP (1 μL L−1) and ET (0.2 mmol L−1), respectively, and then ripened at room temperature (20 ± 1 °C). Our results suggested that 1-MCP application reduced weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS) content, respiration rate and ethylene production, maintained flesh firmness, and slowed down the increase in content of soluble sugar and the decrease in content of titratable acidity (TA) and dry matter concentration (DMC) in flesh and peel during ripening compared with the control, while ET treatment had the opposite effects. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis indicated that MdAQPs expression was differentially regulated by both treatments in flesh and peel during ripening. Expression of MdSIP1;2 and MdNIP5;3 in flesh and MdPIP1;3 and MdPIP2;7 in peel was generally up-regulated by both treatments, while MdTIP4;2 expression in peel was down-regulated by both treatments during ripening. Expression of MdNIP1;1, MdNIP2;1 and MdTIP1;1 in flesh and MdTIP2;2, MdTIP3;1 and MdNIP5;1 in peel was differentially down-regulated by ET treatment while differentially up-regulated by 1-MCP application during ripening. Transcript levels of MdTIP2;2, MdPIP1;2, MdPIP2;4, MdPIP2;3 and MdNIP5;2 in flesh and MdNIP2;1, MdSIP2;2, MdSIP1;2 and MdNIP1;1 in peel were differentially up-regulated by ET application while differentially reduced by 1-MCP application during ripening. After transient over-expression of MdERF2, MdAQPs exhibited varying expression profiles in both tissues during ripening. The results indicated that MdAQPs expression was modulated by ethylene signal in ripening apple fruit.

The Effect of Ethephon on Ethylene and Chlorophyll in Zoysia japonica Leaves.

Zoysia japonica (Zoysia japonica Steud.) is a kind of warm-season turfgrass with many excellent characteristics. However, the shorter green period and longer dormancy caused by cold stress in late autumn and winter are the most limiting factors affecting its application. A previous transcriptome analysis revealed that ethephon regulated genes in chlorophyll metabolism in Zoysia japonica under cold stress. Further experimental data are necessary to understand the effect and underlying mechanism of ethephon in regulating the cold tolerance of Zoysia japonica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethephon by measuring the enzyme activity, intermediates content, and gene expression related to ethylene biosynthesis, signaling, and chlorophyll metabolism. In addition, the ethylene production rate, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll a/b ratio were analyzed. The results showed that ethephon application in a proper concentration inhibited endogenous ethylene biosynthesis, but eventually promoted the ethylene production rate due to its ethylene-releasing nature. Ethephon could promote chlorophyll content and improve plant growth in Zoysia japonica under cold-stressed conditions. In conclusion, ethephon plays a positive role in releasing ethylene and maintaining the chlorophyll content in Zoysia japonica both under non-stressed and cold-stressed conditions.

Effects of ethephon on heartwood formation and related physiological indices of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen

IntroductionDalbergia odorifera T. Chen, known as fragrant rosewood, is a rare and endangered tree species. Studies have shown that plant growth regulators can effectively promote heartwood formation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethephon (ETH) on heartwood formation and the influence of ethephon and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the physiological characteristics in D. odorifera.MethodsD. odorifera branches underwent treatment with 2.5% plant growth regulators, including ETH, jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), H2O2, and inhibitors such as ascorbic acid (AsA) to inhibit H2O2 synthesis, and (S) -trans 2-amino-4 - (2-aminoethoxy) -3-butene (AVG) to inhibit ethylene synthesis. After a 14-day period, we conducted an analysis to evaluate the impact of these plant growth regulators on elongation distance, vessel occlusion percentage, and trans-nerol content. Additionally, the effects of ETH and H2O2 on endogenous plant hormones, H2O2 content, soluble protein content, and enzyme activity were investigated within 0-48 h of treatment.ResultsAfter treatment with ETH for 14 days, the extension distance of the heartwood material was 15 cm, while the trans-nerolol content was 15 times that of the ABA group. ETH and H2O2 promoted endogenous ethylene synthesis; Ethylene content peaked at 6 and 18 h. The peak ethylene content in the ETH group was 68.07%, 12.89%, and 20.87% higher than the initial value of the H2O2 group and ddH2O group, respectively, and 29.64% higher than that in the AVG group. The soluble protein content and activity of related enzymes were significantly increased following ETH treatment.DiscussionETH exhibited the most impact on heartwood formation while not hindering tree growth. This treatment effectively triggered the production of endogenous ethylene in plants and enhanced the activity of essential enzymes involved in heartwood formation. These findings serve as a valuable reference for future investigations into heartwood formation.

Regulation of carotenoid metabolism and ABA biosynthesis during blueberry fruit ripening

Carotenoids and their derivates play critical physiologic roles in plants. However, these substrates and their metabolism have not been elucidated in fruit of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). In this study, carotenoids and ABA were investigated by LC-MS and their biosynthesis were subject to proteomic analysis during fruit ripening. Activity of CCD1 and NCED1/3 were studied in vivo or in vitro. Also, effects of ethephon and 1-MCP on biosynthesis of carotenoid and ABA were investigated through the expression of corresponding genes using qPCR. As a result, carotenoid biosynthesis was prominently mitigated whereas its metabolism was enhanced during fruit ripening, which resulted in a decrease in the carotenoids. VcCCD1 could both cleave β-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein at positions of 9, 10 (9′, 10′), which was mainly responsible for the degradation of these carotenoids. Interestingly, in the situation of mitigation of carotenoid biosynthesis, ABA still rapidly accumulated, which was mainly attributed to the upregulated expression of VcNCED1/3. Notably, VcNCED1/3 also showed a cleavage activity of all-trans-zeaxanthin and a stereospecific cleavage activity of 9-cis-carotene to generate C15-carotenal. The C15-carotenal could be potentially converted to ABA through ZEP-independent ABA biosynthetic pathway during blueberry fruit ripening. Similar to a nature natural maturation, ethylene accelerated the carotenoid degradation and ABA biosynthesis trough downregulating the expression of genes in carotenoid biosynthesis and upregulating the expression of genes in ABA biosynthesis. These information help understand the regulation of carotenoids and ABA, and effects of ethylene on the regulation during blueberry fruit ripening.

Exogenous Application Effects of Ethephon on Olive Oil Quality

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of five different ethephon concentrations (0, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000ppm) on olive oil sensory attributes (quality) after one and two weeks of fruits harvesting. Olive fruits Harvested two weeks after 4000 ppm of ethephon application significantly increased free fatty acid and peroxide value of olive oil contents and decreased sensory attributes (fruitiness bitterness, and pungency), indicating a high impact on reducing oil quality. While olive fruits harvested one week after 4000 ppm ethephon application did not affect the olive oil quality traits. In conclusion, 4000ppm ethephon application led to efficient olive fruits harvest without affecting the olive oil quality, when olive fruits harvested after one week.

Sensitivity of maize genotypes to ethephon across different climatic zones

Ethephon is plant growth regulator widely used to control maize lodging at the early stage of jointing. However, the function and efficacy of ethephon due to differences of cultivars and maize growing areas remains elusive, necessitating the evaluation of each cultivar’s sensitivities prior to the application of ethylene. In this study, we collected ten maize cultivars from the largest planted area in China and cultivated in three typical growing areas to evaluate their sensitivity to ethephon. The results showed that ethephon reduced maize plant height, ear height, length of base internode, and generally increased the crushing strength of maize base internode. These traits may enhance maize lodging resistance by reducing the center of gravity of the plant structure. The effect of ethephon varied across growing areas, and cultivars within the same region exhibited distinct sensitivity levels to ethephon. The crushing strength of the eighth internode in maize exhibits a wide range of change and small coefficient of variation. Hence, this index's change range could be utilized to assess the sensitivity of maize cultivars to ethephon in various regions. In addition to agronomic traits, we detected shifts in transcriptional levels related to the signaling pathways of phytohormones, particularly ethylene and gibberellin. These changes reveal the association between transcriptional signaling levels of key factors and the sensitivity to ethylene in ten maize cultivars. The results contribute to our understanding of the lodging resistance in different maize cultivars and evaluation the sensitivity of maize cultivar to ethephon in different growing areas, with implications for comparable pedo-climatic conditions elsewhere.

Effect of Ethephon and Incomplete Irrigation on some Growth and Yield Characteristics of Safflower

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of ethephon and moisture stress in different growth stages on the yield, its components, and the water consumption efficiency of safflower (Gilla) variety. This experiment was carried out during the winter season 2021-2022, on 11/24/2021, in the Al-Bulatif area, which is 3 km from the governorate center, in the fields of a farmer in Al-Muthanna Governorate. It was implemented that using the split-section design with three replications, where the first factor included four levels (full irrigate-Drop irrigation when branching-Drop irrigation at the flower bud-Drop an irrigation when it is full), which is denoted by the symbol. I 1, I 2, I 3, I 4. The second factor: spraying with Ethephon at five levels 2000-1500-1000-500-0 mg/l, which is coded as E0, E1, E2, E3, and E4, with a plant density of 40,000 plants/ha. The results showed a significant effect of the athephon for most of the studied traits. Treatment E2 gave the highest mean for the two characteristics of plant height and number of leaves, which reached 125.40 cm and 410.60 leaves per plant, while treatment E3 showed the highest average number of branching, reaching 81.6 branches, and finally with regard to the athephon, the treatment gave E4 was the highest mean of grain yield, reaching 5.10 kg H-1. As for the effect of lack of irrigation, the significant effect was only for the characteristics of the number of leaves, the weight of 500 seeds, and the grain yield. As the I1 treatment excelled in giving the highest average grain yield of 4.49 kg H-1, while the I2 treatment presented the highest average weight of 500 seeds, which amounted to 23.19 g. As a final point I3 treatment is the highest average number of leaves, as it reached 341.00 leaves per plant. As for the bilateral overlap between the ethephon and the lack of irrigation, the overlap treatment (I3 * E2) excelled in giving the highest average height, reaching 135.6 cm, while the overlap treatment (I2 * E3) gave the highest average number of branching, reaching 97.30 branches per plant. As for the overlap treatment (I2 * E2), it gave the highest average weight of 500 seeds, reaching 25.55 gm, while the overlap treatment between (I1 * E4) gave the highest average grain yield, reaching 7.186 kg H-1.

Ethephon promotes isoflavone accumulation in germinating soybeans by its acceleration of isoflavone biosynthetic pathway

Soybeans have medicinal value and are an oil crop with medicinal and food properties. The present work investigated two aspects of isoflavone accumulation in soybean. First, germination conditions for exogenous-ethephon-mediated accumulation of isoflavone were optimised through response surface methodology. Second, various influences of ethephon on the growth of germinating soybeans and isoflavone metabolism were investigated. The findings of the research led to the conclusion that exogenous ethephon treatment effectively facilitated the enrichment of isoflavones in soybeans during germination. Optimal germination conditions were obtained through a response surface optimization test, which yielded the following criteria: a germination time of 4.2 d, an ethephon concentration of 102.6 μM, and a germination temperature of 30.2 °C. The maximum isoflavone content was 544.53 μg/sprout FW. Relative to the control, the addition of ethephon significantly inhibited sprout growth. Exogenous ethephon treatment led to the phenomenon that peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities and their gene expression increased significantly in germinating soybeans. Meanwhile, the expression of genes related to ethylene synthetase increase under the effect of ethephon promoting ethylene synthesis. Ethylene multiplied the total flavonoid content of soybean sprouts relying on the increase in activity and gene expression of crucial isoflavone biosynthesis-related enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase) during germination.

Inhibitory Effect of Ethephon on Occurrence of Water-soaked Disorder in the Japanese Pear ‘Akizuki’

Inhibitory Effect of Ethephon on Occurrence of Water-soaked Disorder in the Japanese Pear ‘Akizuki’

Postharvest Losses of NOR Tomato Fruit Line MA 131-6-3 Treated by Ethephon and Calcium Carbide

Ethephon and calcium carbide are artificial ripening compounds that are often used to faster fruit ripening during postharvest. These two compounds were induced in non-ripening (NOR) tomato fruit line MA 131-6-3 because it produced endogenous ethylene and lower respiration. This study aimed to determine the effect of ethephon and calcium carbide on postharvest losses of NOR tomatoes for 14 and 28 days after treatment. Exogenous application of 1,500 ppm ethephon and 15 g kg-1 was given to NOR tomato fruit of line MA 131-6-3 and ambient conditions at temperature 28.08±1.80 °C and relative humidity 75.67±2.09%. This experiment was carried out in Sidoarum village, Godean district, Sleman regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta province, Indonesia, in 125 m above sea level. As a result, ethephon can increase fruit rotting. Furthermore, calcium carbide can accelerate metabolism which has an impact on physiological loss in weight, changing color to yellowish (b*), increasing vivid color (chroma), but the color of tomato fruit cannot turn red.
 Keywords: fruit ripening, fruit quality, postharvest, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity

Effect of Ethephon on Ripening and Postharvest Quality of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) During Storage

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) on ripening and postharvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Four concentrations of ethephon viz. 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm were applied in the experiment for ripening of tomato under ambient conditions (22±2oC & 80±5% RH) with a control (0 ppm ethephon) in two consecutive years 2012 - 2013. The tomato fruits of ‘Udayan’ variety at breaker stage were harvested from the farmers’. The treated fruits were assessed for ripening percentage and biochemical properties such as total soluble solids (TSS) (%), titratable acidity (%), ascorbic acid content (mg/100g) and total carotenoids (mg/100g). The observations were recorded at 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after storage. The maximum TSS and total carotenoids were found in tomato treated with ethephon concentration @750 - 1000 ppm after 6 days of storage. From the experiment, it was found that ethephon can be applied @750 – 1000 ppm in breaker stage of tomato for uniform ripening within 6 days of storage at ambient temperature. The applied ethephon was estimated as 0.18 - 0.88 ppm at edible stage (6 days of storage), which was lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) (2 ppm of ethephon) and safe for human consumption.
 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 45(3): 303-314, September 2020

Exogenous application of ethephon regulates flower abscission, shoot growth, and secondary metabolites in Camellia sinensis

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) consumes a large amount of nutrients and water during the flowering stage, which compromises the tea growth and yield. Ethylene is an important plant hormone that plays pivotal roles in regulating plant growth and flowering. but there are few studies on flowering and growth of tea plants regulated by this plant hormone. Here, we investigated the effects of exogenous ethephon application on the abscission of flowers and flower buds in tea plants. The results showed that application of ethephon induced the production of endogenous ethylene and the peak of ethylene production occurred three days post ethephon spraying on the tea plants. Ethephon treatment induced the abscission of tea flowers and flower buds, leading to reduced amount of flowers in the tea plantations. Ethylene receptors (ETRs) play critical roles in ethylene-mediated cellular responses, and we found that there was a certain correlation between the effect of ethephon on the flower abscission and the expression of several CsETRs, including CsETR3, CsETR4, CsETR5, and CsETR6. Ethephon also induced the high activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase three days after treatment. In addition, ethephon obviously reduced the tea polyphenol content and enhanced the caffeine content in tea plants. Treatment with ethephon (3000 mg L–1) significantly increased tea shoot length and production in the tea plantations in the following early spring. Overall, ethephon, in a range of concentrations, could effectively suppress the tea plant blooming and improve tea yield and quality to a certain extent.

Effects of ethephon and low-temperature treatments on blood oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck): Anthocyanin accumulation and volatile profile changes during storage

Health-promoting anthocyanins in blood oranges can be enriched via appropriate postharvest storage conditions. Here, we explored the changes of anthocyanin accumulation and volatile profiles of Tarocco blood oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) treated by the low temperature alone and combined with ethephon (2 mg/mL) during 50 days of storage. The combination treatment of ethephon and low temperature (8 oC) significantly enhanced the levels of total anthocyanins (10.91 ± 0.25 mg/100 g) and individual cyanidin derivatives relative to low-temperature treatment alone. The increases of six cyanidin derivatives and three delphinidin derivatives identified by LC-MS/Q-TOF were consistent with the variation in total anthocyanins. Ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl undecanoate, linalool, and d-limonene were identified as main contributors to overall aroma of fresh blood oranges. Volatile compositions and concentrations were decreased under different treatments of ethephon and temperatures, while ethephon could alleviate the loss of activity volatiles during cold storage.

Effects of ethephon on physiological characteristics and gene expression of Tartary buckwheat under salt stress

Salt-tolerant ‘Chuanqiao No.1’ and salt-sensitive ‘Chuanqiao No.2’ Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) were used as materials. Effects of ethephon on physiological characteristics of Tartary buckwheat under salt stress were studied by different concentrations of ethephon (ETH) under 150 mM NaCl stress. Ethephon treatment could improve seed germination rate of both varieties under salt stress, and the effect of ethephon treatment on salt-sensitive variety was better. Ethephon treatment could improve physiological characteristics of Tartary buckwheat seedlings under salt stress, and appropriate concentrations of ETH root treatment in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety were 1.0 and 1.5 mM, and for ETH spraying were 0.4 and 0.6 mM. The effect of ETH spraying on improving physiological characteristics of Tartary buckwheat under salt stress was better than that of ETH root treatment. Salt tolerance gene FtNHX1 reached its maximum expression level at 24 h, which was increased by 277.77% and 251.17% in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety compared with salt stress under ETH root treatment, while under ETH spraying treatment, which was increased by 232.39% and 190.91% in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety compared with salt stress. Salt tolerance gene FtSOS1 reached its maximum expression levels at 12 h, which was increased by 60.94% and 98.75% in salt-tolerant and salt- sensitive variety compared with salt stress under ETH root treatment, while under ETH spraying treatment, which was increased by 35.98% and 67.63% in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety compared with salt stress.

Rapid Multiplication of Sugarcane Seedlings of PSJT 941 Variety from Tissue Culture Using Ethephon and Paclobutrazol

<p>Indonesia's sugar self-sufficiency was targeted since 2014 but the target has not been reached yet. One of the major constraints is the limited healthy seedlings available for new sugarcane area expansion. The mass production of healthy sugarcane seedlings may be achieved by rapid multiplication of tissue culture-derived seedlings using plant growth regulators (PGR) applied in the nursery house. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ethephon and pacloburazol (PBZ) on the growth and seedling multiplication of sugarcane PSJT 941 variety. The research was carried out in the nursery house at Pasuruan Experimental Station, Indonesian Sugarcane Research Center. This study was arranged using a randomized block design with three replications. The treatments included (a) 3.5 ml/l ethephon, (b) 7.0 ml/l ethephon, (c) 1.5 ml/l PBZ, (d) 3.0 ml/l PBZ, and (e) control (without application of neither ethephon nor PBZ). The results showed that the highest number of shoots per clump was obtained from 3.0 ml/l PBZ treatment (8.7 shoots/clump) after 3 months of application. In the contrary, PBZ reduced the plant height compared with control and ethephon. Ethephon and PBZ treatments improved seed multiplication 8–52 times, much higher than the control that produced seed multiplication value six times. Further study is necessary to obtain optimal PBZ concentration for better stem height by decreasing the PBZ inhibition effect on stem growth.</p>

1-Methylcyclopropene and Ethephon Effects on 'Carabao' Mango Fruits Harvested at Different Stages of Fruit Maturity

Three experiments were conducted using three different stages of fruit maturity (100, 105, and 110 DAFI or days after flower induction) of ‘Carabao’ mangoes harvested from the same set of trees. Fruits harvested were applied with 1-MCP [(dosage:0.5 µL/L) via gas exposure for 20 hours and spraying], and ethephon (dipping at 1ml/L of H2O) applied singly or in combination. Mangoes were then stored in ambient room conditions [29.2±1.6°C, 69.88±4.0% relative humidity (RH)]. Mango fruits with 1-MCP treatment applied through gas exposure at 0.5 µL/L consistently delayed the peel color change, firmness, and weight loss of harvested fruits at 100, 105 and 110 DAFI. These fruits held its shelf life for 15 (100 DAFI), 12 (105 DAFI) and 9 (110 DAFI) days compared to control with 12, 10 and 8 days respectively. Furthermore, all treatments showed varied effects on the visual quality of fruits regardless of its maturity. It also appeared that fruits at 105 DAFI treated with ethephon alone have better taste while other organoleptic attributes, chemical properties (TSS, TTA and pH), as well as the disease incidence and severity were found to be comparable. This further proved that 1-MCP delays ripening of fruits but could not prevent disease occurrence.

Effects of ethephon on serum levels of sex hormone, apoptosis, and cell cycle of ovaries in mice.

The effects of ethephon on the reproductive systems of mammalian females are still ambiguous. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of ethephon on the female reproductive system. Forty female C57 mice were used as experimental subjects and evenly divided into 8 groups, which were fed with mixed ethephon (0, 107.3, 214.5, and 429 mg/kg bw/day) and pure water. After 20 and 40 days of gavage, the mice were weighed and individual organ coefficients of the ovaries were measured. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to detect the serum levels of serum sex hormones. The cell cycle distribution and rate of apoptosis of mouse ovarian tissues were examined using flow cytometry. Ethephon intoxication significantly decreased serum levels of progesterone (P) and oestradiol (E2) and increased the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased and then increased over time. In addition, ethephon significantly inhibited the apoptosis rate in the ovary and caused G0/G1 and G2/M arrest. These results indicate that prolonged exposure to ethephon may have negative effects on the female reproductive system.

Ethephon Reduces Maize Nitrogen Uptake but Improves Nitrogen Utilization in Zea mays L.

Increasing use of plant density or/and nitrogen (N) application has been introduced to maize production in the past few decades. However, excessive planting density or/and use of fertilizer may cause reduced N use efficiency (NUE) and increased lodging risks. Ethephon application improves maize lodging resistance and has been an essential measure in maize intensive production systems associated with high plant density and N input in China. Limited information is available about the effect of ethephon on maize N use and the response to plant density under different N rates in the field. A three-year field study was conducted with two ethephon applications (0 and 90 g ha−1), four N application rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha−1), and two plant densities (6.75 plants m−2 and 7.5 plants m−2) to evaluate the effects of ethephon on maize NUE indices (N agronomic efficiency, NAE; N recovery efficiency, NRE; N uptake efficiency, NUpE; N utilization efficiency, NUtE; partial factor productivity of N, PFPN), biomass, N concentration, grain yield and N uptake, and translocation properties. The results suggest that the application of ethephon decreased the grain yield by 1.83–5.74% due to the decrease of grain numbers and grain weight during the three experimental seasons. Meanwhile, lower biomass, and fluxes in xylem bleeding sap, and total N uptake were observed under ethephon treatments. These resulted in lower NAE and NUpE under the ethephon treatment at a corresponding N application rate and plant density. The ethephon treatment had no significant effects on the N concentration in grains, and it decreased the N concentration in stover at the harvesting stage, while increasing the plant N concentration at the silking stage. Consequently, post-silking N remobilization was significantly increased by 14.10–32.64% under the ethephon treatment during the experimental periods. Meanwhile, NUtE significantly increased by ethephon.

Using Pomegranate Peel Extract to Change the Adverse Effect of Ethephon by Enhancing its Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-apoptotic Effects in Rats

Organophosphorus insecticide and growth regulator namely Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) are widely used as a ripening process accelerator and a cultivation duration inhibitor. Pomegranate extract (PPE) has recently been taken into consideration due to its pharmacological effects especially those associated with renal diseases. Thus, this study aims to investigate the possible protective effect of PPE against ethephon-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. In this study four groups of adult male rats were divided into control group, PPE 400 mg/kg group, Ethephon 250 mg/kg group, and finally, PPE + Ethephon group (treated with the same dose of PPE group and Ethephon group). In the current study, kidney function parameters (KIM-1, creatinine, and urea) along with oxidative stress markers, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione (GSH) and its correlated enzymes, nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) were estimated. Additionally, mediators of renal inflammation: interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were measured. Apoptotic biomarkers (Bax, caspase 3, and Bcl2) in addition to renal histopathological data were also investigated. Results revealed that Ethephon elicited a significant increase in oxidation markers and reduced antioxidant levels, accompanied by oxidative renal tissue injury. Consequently, administration of Ethephon was reported to provoke secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators. Moreover, histopathological results showed that deformities in the renal tissues were noticed which is attributed to Ethephon exposure. Interestingly, co-administration of PPE and Ethephon resulted in significantly ameliorated the biochemical and histopathological alterations produced by Ethephon. Current results propose the potential effect of PPE in the protection of renal tissue from Ethephon induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Effect of Spraying Ethephon and Amino Acid on The Characteristics Two Varieties of Avena Sativa L

A field experiment was carried out at the Research Station of the College of Agriculture - University of Al-Muthanna during the agricultural season (2020-2021) with the aim of studying the effect of Ethephon in reducing plant elongation, resisting sluggishness, increasing yield and the effect of amino acids, improving the quality of the yield and knowing the effect of the interaction between amino acids and Ethephon on oats yield. The study included three factors, the Varieties (Shafaa V1 and 11 V2), amino acids B (0 and 15 ml per liter of water) and Ethephon E with two levels and comparison (0, 0.240 and 0.600). The experiment was applied using the split-plots design split (Split-plots arrangement) according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD) and with three replications. Ethephon in sub-secondary plates (Sub-sub-plot) The amino acid factor was added in the two stages of elongation and flowering by spraying on the plant until complete wetness, and the addition of ethephon agent in the elongation stage by spraying on the plant until complete wetness. The flag is 25.13 cm, the length of the deltoid is 18,385 cm, and a significant decrease in plant height is 60.83 cm when spraying ethephon at a concentration of 0. 240 kg h.