ARS | Publication request: THE INVOLVEMENT OF ETHYLENE IN WOUND-INDUCED SUBERIZATION OF POTATO TUBER.

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 2, 2006
Publication Date: February 12, 2006
Citation: Lulai, E.C., Suttle, J.C. 2006. The Involvement of Ethylene in Wound-Induced Suberization of Potato Tuber. Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council and Northern Plains Potato Growers Association 2006 Research Reports. p.133-144.

Technical Abstract: The determination of hormonal requirements for wound-induced suberization is important in developing new approaches and future postharvest technologies to control various wound related disease and defect problems in potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.). Although the hormone ethylene has been shown to be involved in various kinds of plant stress, including that of wound response, its role in suberization had not been determined. The role of ethylene in wound-induced suberization of potato tuber was examined over a 9 d wound-healing period using a variety of ethylene biosynthesis and action inhibitors. Ethylene evolution was stimulated by wounding and reached a maximum 2 to 3 d after tuber wounding, and then gradually declined. The competitive inhibitor of ethylene action, 2,5-norbornadiene, had no effect on the wound-induced accumulation of suberin polyphenolics. Similarly, the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) had no apparent effect on wound-induced accumulation of suberin polyphenolics or on the accumulation of suberin polyaliphatics. Treatment of tubers with ethylene, applied either before or after wounding, had no effect on the induction or accumulation of either suberin biopolymer. Treatment with the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, inhibited wound-induced ethylene production, but did not affect wound-induced suberization. Collectively, theses results indicate that although increased ethylene evolution is part of the tuber wound response, ethylene is not required for wound-induced suberization of the closing layer (suberization of existing cells at the wound surface) during the first two to four days of wound-healing or subsequent suberization of phellem cells (between four to nine days) created by the wound-induced formation of the phellogen. Theses results are of great importance in determining the mechanisms regulating suberization and in assuring that wound-induced suberization is not inhibited with the application of 1-MCP or other new technologies that effectively control various ethylene mediated processes in vegetables and fruits.