Ethylene evolution from various developing organs of olive (Olea europaea) after excision

Ethylene evolution from leaves, stems, inflorescences and fruits of the olive plant ( Olea europaea L.) cv. Manzanillo was studied at various stages of their development. Mature non-growing organs, particularly leaves, have a constant, low, and uniform rate of ethylene evolution. Ethylene evolution from detached mature olive leaves was constant during the first 12 h after excision. Leaves on shoots maintained in vitro kept a constant rate of ethylene evolution for at least the first 5–6 days. Leaf injury significantly increased ethylene evolution. Ethylene evolution from injured and non-injured control leaves could be markedly inhibited aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) applied to the leaves or fed to the shoot. The use of excised olive shoots and leaves as an in vitro model system for studies of induced metabolic processes such as abscission and developing water stress was suggested.