Role of ethylene in senescence of cut Eustoma flowers

Flower senescence of Eustoma grandiflorum was investigated in relation to ethylene production and sensitivity to ethylene. Ethylene production of flowers increased with Bower senescence. Ethylene was mainly produced in the pistil, in particular in the style, and production in the petal increased with flower senescence. Flowers were not sensitive to ethylene at anthesis, but became more sensitive with increasing senescence. Treatment with silver thiosulphate (STS), an ethylene action inhibitor, extended flower longevity. STS inhibited ethylene production from the whole flower, particularly that from the petal. Thus, ethylene is considered to be involved in the flower senescence of Eustoma. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.