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Regulation of Harvest-induced Senescence in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) by Cytokinin, Ethylene, and Sucrose

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Abstract

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) deteriorates rapidly following harvest. The two plant hormones ethylene and cytokinin are known to act antagonistically on harvest-induced senescence in broccoli: ethylene by accelerating the process, and cytokinin by delaying it. To determine the level at which these hormones influenced senescence, we isolated and monitored the expression of genes normally associated with senescence in broccoli florets treated with exogenous 6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BAP), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), a combination of 6-BAP and ACC, and sucrose, in the five days following harvest. Exogenous 6-BAP caused both a reduction (BoACO) and an increase (BoACS) in ethylene biosynthetic gene expression. The expression of genes used as senescence markers, BoCP5 and BoMT1, was reduced, whereas BoCAB1 levels were maintained after harvest in response to exogenous 6-BAP. In addition, the expression of genes encoding sucrose transporters (BoSUC1 and BoSUC2) and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (BoINV1 and BoHK1) was also reduced upon 6-BAP feeding. Interestingly, the addition of ACC prevented the 6-BAP-induced increase in expression of BoACS, but 6-BAP negated the ACC-induced increase in expression of BoACO. The culmination of these results indicates a significant role for cytokinin in the delay of senescence. The implication that cytokinin regulates postharvest senescence in broccoli by inhibiting ethylene perception and/or biosynthesis, thus regulating carbohydrate transport and metabolism, as well as senescence-associated gene expression, is discussed and a model presented.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Duncan Hedderley for carrying out statistical analyses and the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) for funding this work.

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Author notes

  1. Nigel E. Gapper

    Present address: Produce Quality and Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, USDA/ARS, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland, 20705, USA

  2. Simon A. Coupe

    Present address: Marks and Spencer, Pl., Waterside House, 35 North Wharf Rd, London WZ, INW, UK

  3. Paula E. Jameson

    Present address: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag, 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited, Food Industry Science Centre, Private Bag, 11 600, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Nigel E. Gapper, Simon A. Coupe, Marian J. McKenzie, Ben K. Sinclair, Ross E. Lill & Paula E. Jameson

  2. Institute of Molecular BioSciences, Massey University, Private Bag, 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Nigel E. Gapper & Paula E. Jameson

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  1. Nigel E. Gapper
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  2. Simon A. Coupe
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  3. Marian J. McKenzie
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Correspondence to Paula E. Jameson.

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Gapper, N.E., Coupe, S.A., McKenzie, M.J. et al. Regulation of Harvest-induced Senescence in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) by Cytokinin, Ethylene, and Sucrose. J Plant Growth Regul 24, 153–165 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-005-0028-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-005-0028-8

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