Effects of exogenous salicylate on basal and stress-induced ethylene formation in soybean

Abstract

Aqueous salicylate solutions stimulated ethylene formation only when injurious, or potentially injurious, concentrations were exogenously supplied to soybean cuttings. Stimulation occurred via the biochemical sequence involving ACC as an intermediate, and was attributable to stimulation of ACC synthesis but not of EFE activity. Similar results were obtained by testing wound-induced ethylene, whereas the production of virus-induced ethylene was not affected by salicylate. Prolonged salicylate treatments which did not produce evident injurious effects inhibited soybean growth and rooting, probably through the moderate antiauxinic property attributable to salicylates. These findings are discussed in relation to other results obtained from similar or different plant materials. © 1991 Institute of Experimental Botany, ASCR.