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Effect of paraquat on ethylene biosynthesis by intact green Phaseolus vulgaris seedlings
Author(s) -
Weckx J.,
Vangronsveld J.,
Poucke M.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1989.tb04636.x
Subject(s) - paraquat , phaseolus , ethylene , 1 aminocyclopropane 1 carboxylic acid , darkness , chemistry , endogeny , biosynthesis , chloroplast , white light , biochemistry , photosynthesis , botany , enzyme , biology , catalysis , physics , gene , optics
Ethylene production by intact green bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Limburgse vroege) seedlings was investigated in white light and in darkness. In white light both endogenous and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC)‐induced ethylene production were stimulated. A decrease in the 1‐(malonylamino)cyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (M‐ACC) level and a slight increase in the free ACC concentration could be observed in light. The total amount of endogenous ACC was not changed by light. We related the effect of light to the effect of paraquat on ethylene biosynthesis. Paraquat caused a strong increase of endogenous ethylene production in light. However, the conversion of exogenously applied ACC in light was not influenced by the paraquat treatment, although the presence of the herbicide in the chloroplasts was evident through the inhibition of net photosynthesis. In light, paraquat increased the total ACC content. This was due to an enlargement of the free ACC pool. The effects of white light and paraquat on ethylene biosynthesis can be differentiated from one another: white light exerts its influence on the conversion of ACC to ethylene; it also seems to inhibit the malonylation and may act on the formation of ACC itself. Paraquat influences only ACC synthesis.