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DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFLORESCENCE AND “CROWN” OF ANANAS COMOSUS AFTER TREATMENT WITH ACETYLENE, NAA, AND ETHEPHON
Author(s) -
Wee Y. C.,
Rao A. N.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1979.tb06235.x
Subject(s) - apex (geometry) , ethephon , biology , primordium , inflorescence , peduncle (anatomy) , ananas , botany , crown (dentistry) , horticulture , elongation , habit , pedicel , ethylene , medicine , psychology , biochemistry , materials science , dentistry , ultimate tensile strength , gene , metallurgy , psychotherapist , catalysis
The vegetative apex of the Masmerah cultivar of pineapple, Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., is dome‐shaped and has the typical tunica‐corpus organization. Treating the plant with acetylene, NAA or ethephon transforms the vegetative apex to a reproductive one. As early as two days after treatment the apical height and width increase, attaining maximum dimensions in 8–14 days, after which they progressively decrease. During 4–6 weeks, when the full complement of florets has been initiated, the dimensions of the apex are again increased and leaves that form the fruit crown are initiated. A cambium‐like zone at the base of the corpus is noticed 2–4 days after the application of acetylene and ethephon. Acetylene and NAA result in a more pointed apex initially, while ethephon results in a more broadened apex. The largest increase in apical height and width is seen when NAA is used. The development of the inflorescence from the time the full complement of florets is formed to fruit maturity is described. Cell multiplication is the main cause of peduncle elongation and inflorescence head enlargement, although towards the later stages of growth, cell enlargement contributes more to the increase in size of the organs.