Characterization of Abscisic Acid-Induced Ethylene Production in Citrus Leaf and Tomato Fruit Tissues

Abscisic acid (ABA) significantly stimulated ethylene production in citrus (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck, cv Shamouti orange) leaf discs. The extent of stimulation was dependent upon the concentration of ABA (0.1-1 milimolar) and the duration of treatment (15-300 minutes). Aging the discs before applying ABA increased ABA-induced ethylene production due to enhancement of both ethylene-forming enzyme activity and the responsiveness of ABA. Discs excised from mature leaves were much more responsive to ABA than discs excised from young or senescing leaves. ABA stimulated ethylene production shortly after application, suggesting that ABA does not enhance ethylene production via the acceleration of senescence. The stimulating effect of ABA on ethylene production resulted mainly from the enhancement of 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthesis. Stimulation of ethylene production by ABA in intact citrus leaves and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cv Castlemart) fruit was small but could be increased by various forms of wounding.