Independent effects of jasmonates and ethylene on inhibition of Pharbitis nil flowering

Abstract

Interactions between methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) and ethylene in the photoperiodic flower induction of short-day plant Pharbitis nil were investigated. Both JA-Me and gaseous ethylene applied during the inductive long night caused a decrease in the number of flower buds generated by P. nil. Application of ethylene did not affected niether the level of endogenous jasmonates in the cotyledons during the 16 h long inductive night, nor the inhibitory effect of JA-Me on the flowering of P. nil accompanied by variations in ethylene production. The application of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)-a jasmonate biosynthesis inhibitor-slightly stimulated flowering. Our results have shown that the mechanisms of P. nil flower inhibition by jasmonates and ethylene are independent. © 2010 The Aóthor(s).