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Chilling-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Braeburn apples

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Abstract

We observed a chilling-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Braeburn apples.The stimulatory effect depended on the length of the cooling period. The longerthe period, the stronger the stimulation. Low temperature stimulated activityand gene expression of ACS, but only stimulated gene expression of ACO. Thestimulatory effect of low temperature on gene expression was stronger andearlier in ACS than in ACO. 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene), an inhibitor ofethylene action, inhibited ethylene biosynthesis in fruit stored at 20°C and 0 °C. This inhibitory effect can beslightly recovered in fruit stored at 0 °C, but not at 20°C. Expression of genes for ACS and ACO was weaker in1-MCP-treated fruit stored at 20 °C, than those at 0°C. Thus, it is possible that expression of genes for ACS andACO in fruit at low temperature was mainly, but not completely, regulated bytheethylene receptor.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd., Mt Albert Research Center, Auckland, New Zealand (

    M.S. Tian, Sujata Prakash & G.S. Ross

  2. Institute of Molecular Biology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Ningxing Zhang

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  1. M.S. Tian
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  2. Sujata Prakash
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  3. Ningxing Zhang
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  4. G.S. Ross
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Correspondence to M.S. Tian.

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Tian, M., Prakash, S., Zhang, N. et al. Chilling-induced ethylene biosynthesis in Braeburn apples. Plant Growth Regulation 38, 249–257 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021552002676

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