Skip to main content
Plant Physiology logoLink to Plant Physiology
. 1986 Jul;81(3):780–787. doi: 10.1104/pp.81.3.780

Role of Ethylene in Lactuca sativa cv `Grand Rapids' Seed Germination

Fred B Abeles 1
PMCID: PMC1075426  PMID: 16664902

Abstract

Promotion of thermoinhibited (30°C) lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv `Grand Rapids') seed germination by ethylene is similar to the action of the gas in other hormonal systems. Ethylene was more active than propylene and ethane was inactive. An inhibitor of ethylene production, aminoethoxy-vinylglycine, reduced ethylene evolution and germination. Inhibitors of ethylene action such as, 5-methyl-7-chloro-4-ethoxycarbonylmethoxy-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, 2,5-norbornadiene, and silver thiosulfate inhibited germination and the effect was reversed by the addition of ethylene to the gas phase. The action of ethylene appears to be due to the promotion of radial cell expansion in the embryonic hypocotyl. The action of N6-benzyladenine and fusiccocin, which also overcome thermoinhibition, appears to be due to a promotion of hypocotyl elongation. None of the germination promoters studied appeared to function by lowering the mechanical resistance of the endosperm to embryonic growth. Data presented here are consistent with the view that ethylene plays a role in lettuce seed germination under thermoinhibited and normal conditions.

Full text

PDF
780

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Abeles F. B., Lonski J. Stimulation of lettuce seed germination by ethylene. Plant Physiol. 1969 Feb;44(2):277–280. doi: 10.1104/pp.44.2.277. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Beyer E. M. A potent inhibitor of ethylene action in plants. Plant Physiol. 1976 Sep;58(3):268–271. doi: 10.1104/pp.58.3.268. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Burdett A. N. Ethylene synthesis in lettuce seeds: its physiological significance. Plant Physiol. 1972 Dec;50(6):719–722. doi: 10.1104/pp.50.6.719. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Burdett A. N., Vidaver W. E. Synergistic action of ethylene with gibberellin or red light in germinating lettuce seeds. Plant Physiol. 1971 Nov;48(5):656–657. doi: 10.1104/pp.48.5.656. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Burg S. P., Burg E. A. Molecular requirements for the biological activity of ethylene. Plant Physiol. 1967 Jan;42(1):144–152. doi: 10.1104/pp.42.1.144. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Dunlap J. R., Morgan P. W. Reversal of induced dormancy in lettuce by ethylene, kinetin, and gibberellic Acid. Plant Physiol. 1977 Aug;60(2):222–224. doi: 10.1104/pp.60.2.222. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Fossard C., Dale G., Latner A. L. Separation of the proteins of cerebrospinal fluid using gel electrofocusing followed by electrophoresis. J Clin Pathol. 1970 Oct;23(7):586–589. doi: 10.1136/jcp.23.7.586. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Fountain D. W., Bewley J. D. Polyribosome formation and protein synthesis in imbibed but dormant lettuce seeds. Plant Physiol. 1973 Dec;52(6):604–607. doi: 10.1104/pp.52.6.604. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Hayashi T., Maclachlan G. Pea Xyloglucan and Cellulose : III. Metabolism during Lateral Expansion of Pea Epicotyl Cells. Plant Physiol. 1984 Nov;76(3):739–742. doi: 10.1104/pp.76.3.739. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Hoffman N. E., Fu J. R., Yang S. F. Identification and Metabolism of 1-(Malonylamino)cyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid in Germinating Peanut Seeds. Plant Physiol. 1983 Jan;71(1):197–199. doi: 10.1104/pp.71.1.197. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Ketring D. L., Morgan P. W. Ethylene as a Component of the Emanations From Germinating Peanut Seeds and Its Effect on Dormant Virginia-type Seeds. Plant Physiol. 1969 Mar;44(3):326–330. doi: 10.1104/pp.44.3.326. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Negm F. B., Smith O. E. Effects of ethylene and carbon dioxide on the germination of osmotically inhibited lettuce seed. Plant Physiol. 1978 Oct;62(4):473–476. doi: 10.1104/pp.62.4.473. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Taiz L., Rayle D. L., Eisinger W. Ethylene-induced lateral expansion in etiolated pea stems : the role of Acid secretion. Plant Physiol. 1983 Oct;73(2):413–417. doi: 10.1104/pp.73.2.413. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Tao K. L., Khan A. A. Changes in the Strength of Lettuce Endosperm during Germination. Plant Physiol. 1979 Jan;63(1):126–128. doi: 10.1104/pp.63.1.126. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Watkins J. T., Cantliffe D. J. Mechanical Resistance of the Seed Coat and Endosperm during Germination of Capsicum annuum at Low Temperature. Plant Physiol. 1983 May;72(1):146–150. doi: 10.1104/pp.72.1.146. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Plant Physiology are provided here courtesy of Oxford University Press

RESOURCES