ISHS Acta Horticulturae 261: IV International Symposium on Postharvest Physiology of Ornamental Plants
REGULATION OF CARNATION (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS) FLOWER DEVELOPMENT |
| Authors: | A. WONG, K. BIRUSINGH, P. CHIEN, W. EISINGER |
| Abstract:
Cytokinin stimulates bud opening of intact carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) flowers and delays their senescence. Auxin, gibberellin, abscisic acid and ethylene do not affect bud opening, but ethylene treatment can bring about premature senescence. Endogenous cytokinins and ethylene appear to be the natural regulators of carnation flower senescence. Hormonal regulation of bud opening is more complicated. Cell expansion in excised petals is stimulated by auxin, but not by cytokinin which stimulates bud opening. Supra optimal auxin treatment induces ethylene production, but cell elongation is not inhibited by the gas. In the excised petal system, auxin appears to be operating via proton secretion. Potassium ions also play a critical role in carnation flower development. Potassium ions stimulate petal cell expansion; maximal growth is stimulated by auxin and potassium ions. Flowers treated with cytokinin to delay senescence contain higher concentrations of potassium ions in their petal tips than controls. Ethylene treatment reduces potassium ions in petal tips. | |
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