TY - CHAP

T1 - New developments in ethylene control

T2 - Compounds interacting with the ethylene receptor

AU - Sisler, E. C.

AU - Serek, M.

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - A number of gaseous compounds that appear to block the ethylene receptor have been discovered recently. They inhibit a range of plant responses to ethylene, including ethylene-induced ripening of fruits, and senescence or abscission of flowers, buds or leaves. The compounds block the receptor, preventing the physiological action of ethylene for up to 12 days at 25 C when provided in a single exposure. Some of the inhibitors are active in very low concentrations. For example as low a concentration as 0.5 nl.l-1 of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is sufficient to protect carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers for several days against ethylene, but many other plant materials require higher concentrations. These novel inhibitors appear to be suitable for many commercial applications including increasing of the vase life of cut flowers and the display life of potted plants. 1- MCP, apparently a non-toxic compound at active concentrations, has already been developed for commercial use and it is available on the US market. A number of other similar compounds, many of which would not be gases at room temperatures but would slowly evaporate to a gaseous form, have also been prepared and tested as ethylene receptor blocking agents. Compounds with a wide range of boiling points were active and compounds with estimated boiling points as high as 200C appear to be as active as 1-MCP from the standpoint of concentration and time of protection. The possible commercial application of these products will be discussed.

AB - A number of gaseous compounds that appear to block the ethylene receptor have been discovered recently. They inhibit a range of plant responses to ethylene, including ethylene-induced ripening of fruits, and senescence or abscission of flowers, buds or leaves. The compounds block the receptor, preventing the physiological action of ethylene for up to 12 days at 25 C when provided in a single exposure. Some of the inhibitors are active in very low concentrations. For example as low a concentration as 0.5 nl.l-1 of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is sufficient to protect carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers for several days against ethylene, but many other plant materials require higher concentrations. These novel inhibitors appear to be suitable for many commercial applications including increasing of the vase life of cut flowers and the display life of potted plants. 1- MCP, apparently a non-toxic compound at active concentrations, has already been developed for commercial use and it is available on the US market. A number of other similar compounds, many of which would not be gases at room temperatures but would slowly evaporate to a gaseous form, have also been prepared and tested as ethylene receptor blocking agents. Compounds with a wide range of boiling points were active and compounds with estimated boiling points as high as 200C appear to be as active as 1-MCP from the standpoint of concentration and time of protection. The possible commercial application of these products will be discussed.

KW - 1-ethylcyclopropene

KW - 1-methylcyclopropene

KW - 3,3-dimethylcyclopropene

KW - 3-methylcyclopropene

KW - Cyclopropenes

KW - Diazocyclopentadiene

KW - Ethylene

KW - Receptor

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0012867434&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.17660/actahortic.2001.543.2

DO - 10.17660/actahortic.2001.543.2

M3 - Contribution to book/anthology

AN - SCOPUS:0012867434

SN - 9789066059634

T3 - Acta Horticulturae

SP - 33

EP - 40

BT - VII International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants

PB - International Society for Horticultural Science

ER -