Ethylene-induced Leaf Yellowing in Cut Chrysanthemums (Dendranthema grandiflora Kitamura)

Abstract

Twelve cultivars of cut flowering chrysanthemums (Dendranthema grandiflora Kitamura) were exposed continuously to air with or without 1 ppm ethylene and their leaf color was measured with a chromameter. When leaves of six cultivars, including 'Syuho-no-chikara' and 'Seiko-no-makoto', were exposed to ethylene, they turned yellow, but others did not respond to ethylene. Similar varietal sensitivity to ethylene and consequent leaf yellowing were observed in rosetted and elongating vegetative shoots. Pulsing with 0.2 mM anionic silver thiosulfate complex (STS) completely inhibited leaf yellowing in the ethylene-containing atmosphere. These results indicate that yellowing of the leaves of some chrysanthemum cultivars is induced by ethylene.