An evaluation of the effects of exogenous ethephon,an ethylene releasing compound,on photosynthesis of mustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis>) cultivars that differ in photosynthetic capacity

Background  

The stimulatory effect of CO₂ on ethylene evolution in plants is known, but the extent to which ethylene controls photosynthesis is not clear. Studies on the effects of ethylene on CO₂ metabolism have shown conflicting results. Increase or inhibition of photosynthesis by ethylene has been reported. To understand the physiological processes responsible for ethylene-mediated changes in photosynthesis, stomatal and mesophyll effects on photosynthesis and ethylene biosynthesis in response to ethephon treatment in mustard (Brassica juncea) cultivars differing in photosynthetic capacity were studied.