IS VASCULAR BLOCKAGE IN STEMS OF CUT LILAC FLOWERS MEDIATED BY ETHYLENE?

Authors:	Wouter G. van Doorn, H. Harkema, E. Otma
Abstract: Cut flowering stems of lilac (Syringa vulgaris) show wilting within a few days after placing them in water. Wilting was not prevented by the inclusion of antimicrobial compounds in the vase solution. Antimicrobial compounds prevented a decrease in hydraulic conductance in the lowermost 10 cm of the stems (related to a decrease in the number of bacteria in the basal stem segment) but they did not prevent a decrease in hydraulic conductance in the 10–20 cm stem segment. Inhibitors of ethylene synthesis (HQC and AVG) or ethylene action (AgNO₃ and STS) delayed the time to wilting of the cut flowering stems placed in water. After this treatment hydraulic conductance in the 10–20 cm stem segment was higher than controls. The 10–20 cm stem segment of control stems contained several tyloses. Tylose formation was suppressed by HQC and AVG, indicating that tylose formation is regulated by ethylene.
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