Abstract
Continuous application of propylene to 40 to 80% mature fruits of normal tomato strains (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) advanced ripening in fruits of all ages by at least 50%. Although preclimacteric respiration was stimulated by propylene treatment, there was no concomitant increase in ethylene production. Once ripening commenced, the rates of endogenous ethylene production were similar in both propylene-treated and untreated fruits. Continuous exposure to propylene also stimulated respiration in immature fruits of rin, a nonripening mutant. Although respiration reached rates similar to those during the climacteric of comparable normal fruits there was no change in endogenous ethylene production which remained at a low level. Internal ethylene concentrations in attached 45 to 75% mature fruits of rin and a normal strain were similar. It is suggested that the onset of ripening in normal tomato fruit is not controlled by endogenous ethylene, although increased ethylene production is probably an integral part of the ripening processes.
Full text
PDF![218](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/ec5b/541587/275bd3337efc/plntphys00169-0078.png)
![219](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/ec5b/541587/7c97fcb1c88a/plntphys00169-0079.png)
![220](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/ec5b/541587/80db37e595e4/plntphys00169-0080.png)
![221](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/ec5b/541587/b6589df9196a/plntphys00169-0081.png)
![222](https://cdn.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/blobs/ec5b/541587/86a011735dfe/plntphys00169-0082.png)
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Biale J. B. Growth, Maturation, and Senescence in Fruits: Recent knowledge on growth regulation and on biological oxidations has been applied to studies with fruits. Science. 1964 Nov 13;146(3646):880–888. doi: 10.1126/science.146.3646.880. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Burg S. P., Burg E. A. Role of Ethylene in Fruit Ripening. Plant Physiol. 1962 Mar;37(2):179–189. doi: 10.1104/pp.37.2.179. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Herner R. C., Sink K. C. Ethylene Production and Respiratory Behavior of the rin Tomato Mutant. Plant Physiol. 1973 Jul;52(1):38–42. doi: 10.1104/pp.52.1.38. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McMurchie E. J., McGlasson W. B., Eaks I. L. Treatment of fruit with propylene gives information about the biogenesis of ethylene. Nature. 1972 May 26;237(5352):235–236. doi: 10.1038/237235a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Reid M. S., Pratt H. K. Ethylene and the respiration climacteric. Nature. 1970 Jun 6;226(5249):976–977. doi: 10.1038/226976b0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]