Abscission: the role of ethylene, ethylene analogues, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
Ethylene was the most effective abscission accelerant examined, with decreasing activity shown by propene, carbon monoxide, acetylene, vinyl fluoride, 1-butene, and 1,3-butadiene. Carbon dioxide inhibited abscission, but its effect was overcome by ethylene. Oxygen was required for abscission as an electron acceptor for respiration and not as a potentiator or activator of the ethylene attachment site. The molecular requirements for abscission were similar to those shown by other workers for other biological processes under the influence of ethylene.
Abeles
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Plant Sciences Laboratory, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
Gahagan
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