Changes in ethylene production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid content of pollinated carnation flowers

TLDR: Pollination of flowers of standard carnation with pollen from flowers of miniature carnations caused them to wilt irreversibly within 1 to 2 days, and there appears to be a qualitative difference between the enzyme in the stigmas converting ACC to ethylene in other parts of the flower.

Abstract: Pollination of flowers of standard carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. White Sim) with pollen from flowers of miniature carnations (D. caryophyllus L. cv. Exquisite) caused them to wilt irreversibly within 1 to 2 days. Pollination stimulated a sequential increase in ethylene production by stigmas, ovaries, receptacles, and petals of the flowers. The ACC content of the stigmas increased rapidly in the first few hours after pollination. The possibility that subsequent production of ethylene by other parts of the flower is stimulated by translocated ACC is discussed. Ethylene production and ACC content of other parts of the flower reached their maximum 24 h after pollination. The petal tissues contributed the bulk of the ethylene productionper flower thereafter. There appears to be a qualitative difference between the enzyme in the stigmas converting ACC to ethylene and that in other parts of the flower.