title: Flower abscission in mutant tomato plants.
abstract: The effect of two mutations of the tomato known as Never ripe (Nr) and ripening inhibitor (rin) on abscission of the flowers was investigated. In the presence of ethylene the rate of abscission of normal and rin explants was similar, while that of Nr explants was delayed. The appearance and subsequent increases in both polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) and β-1-4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) enzyme activities were similar in normal and rin explants, but retarded in Nr explants. Of these two, only polygalacturonase activity was exclusively associated with abscission-zone tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Environmental Science, University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, LE12 5RD, Loughborough, Leics., UK.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Roberts