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. 2009 Dec;4(12):1154-6.
doi: 10.4161/psb.4.12.9948.

Effects of antagonists and inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis on maize root elongation

María Victoria Alarcón  1 , Alberto Lloret-Salamanca, Pedro Gaspar Lloret, Domingo José Iglesias, Manuel Talón, Julio Salguero
Affiliations

Effects of antagonists and inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis on maize root elongation

María Victoria Alarcón et al. Plant Signal Behav. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

During the first days of development, maize roots showed considerable variation in the production of ethylene and the rate of elongation. As endogenous ethylene increases, root elongation decreases. When these roots are treated with the precursor of ethylene aminocyclopropane- 1-carboxylic acid (ACC), or inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis 2-aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) or cobalt ions, the root elongation is also inhibited. Because of root growth diminishes at high or reduced endogenous ethylene concentrations, it appears that this phytohormone must be maintained in a range of concentrations to support normal root growth. In spite of its known role as inhibitor of ethylene action, silver thiosulphate (STS) does not change significantly the root elongation rate. This suggests that the action of ethylene on root elongation should occur, at least partially, by interaction with other growth regulators.

Keywords: 2-aminoethoxyvinyl glycine; Zea mays; cobalt; ethylene; root elongation; silver thiosulphate.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or action on elongation of maize roots. Inhibitors at indicated concentrations were added to the growth solution when roots were 60–70 mm long (zero time). Values represent the increase in length of 10 roots (mean ± SD).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or action on ethylene biosynthesis by maize root tips. Experimental conditions were as indicated in Figure 1. Values represent mean ± SD of at least three determinations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

  • Alarcón MV, Lloret PG, Iglesias DJ, Talón M, Salguero J. Response of maize seedling roots to changing ethylene concentra- tions. Russ J Plant Physiol. 2009;56:488–494. doi: 10.1134/S1021443709040074.

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