Ethylene in Plant Biology focuses on the role of ethylene in plant physiology and the interrelationship between ethylene, fruit ripening, and respiration. It summarizes the physiology, biochemistry, production, regulation, plant effects, metabolism, and mechanism of action of ethylene. This book presents an introduction to basic chemistry of ethylene and available techniques for its sampling and analysis. Then, it discusses the rate, environmental conditions, and reactions involved in ethylene production. Chapter 4 examines the effects of herbicides and hormones, such as auxin, gibberellins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid, on ethylene production. Meanwhile, the next chapter studies the so-called stress ethylene phenomenon in plants. In particular, this book examines the role of insects, temperature, water, gamma-irradiation, and mechanical and chemical stimuli in stress ethylene. The biochemical aspects of ethylene are covered in the subsequent chapters. These include its role in growth and development of plant, phytogerontological activity, role in ethylene synthesis, respiration, pigmentation, and hormone regulation. Chapter 9 presents the activity of ethylene relative to other hydrocarbon analogs and dose-response relationships for a number of ethylene-mediated processes. The concluding chapters tackle the attachment of ethylene to its site of action, including epinasty, root initiation, intumescence formation, and floral initiation. A discussion on the issue of ethylene air pollution is included. This book will be useful to both undergraduate students and professional workers, especially those who have background in plant anatomy, plant physiology, or biochemistry.

Preface

1. Introduction


Text


References


2. Chemistry and Analysis of Ethylene


I. Chemistry


II. Ethylene Analysis


References


3. Physiology and Biochemistry of Ethylene Production


I. Variety of Organisms and Rates of Production


II. Environmental Control


III. Biochemistry of Ethylene Production


References


4. Hormonal and Herbicidal Regulation of Ethylene


I. Auxin


II. Gibberellins


III. Cytokinins


IV. Abscisic Acid


V. Growth Retardants


VI. Regulation of Ethylene Production by 2,4-D and Other Herbicides


VII. Ethrel and Other Ethylene-Releasing Chemicals


References


5. Stress Ethylene


I. Insects


II. Temperature


III. Water


IV. -Irradiation


V. Disease


VI. Mechanical Effects


VII. Chemical Effects


VIII. Conclusions


References


6. Growth and Developmental Effects of Ethylene


I. Dormancy


II. Growth


III. Epinasty


IV. Hook Opening


V. Induction of Roots and Root Hairs


VI. Hypertrophy


VII. Exudation


VIII. Flowering


IX. Gravitational Responses


X. Effect on Motor Cells


XI. Algae and Fungi


References


7. Phytogerontological Effects of Ethylene


I. Flower Fading and Leaf Senescence


II. Fruit Ripening


III. Abscission


References


8. Regulation of Metabolie and Physiological Systems by Ethylene


I. Role of Ethylene in Disease and Disease Resistance


II. Role of Ethylene in Enzyme Synthesis


III. Effect on Respiration


IV. Effects on Pigmentation


V. Regulation of Hormone Biochemistry and Physiology


VI. Cold Hardiness


References


9. Ethylene Analogs and Antagonists


I. Ethylene Analogs


II. Ethylene Antagonist-CO2


III. Dose-Response Relationships


IV. Other Compounds


References


10. Mechanism of Ethylene Action


I. Attachment Site


II. Effect on Isolated Enzymes


III. Membranes


IV. Regulation of Nucleic Acid and Protein Metabolism


V. Conclusions


References


11. Air Pollution and Ethylene Cycle


I. Background


II. Sources of Ethylene


III. Economic Losses Due to Ethylene Air Pollution


IV. Control of Air Pollution


V. Degradation of Atmospheric Ethylene


VI. Air Quality Standards


References


Author Index


Subject Index