Kinetic Measurements of Small Ethylene Changes in an Open System Designed for Plant Physiological Studies

Based upon the method we developed to measure ethylene in very low concentrations (as low as 0.01 ppb in the ambient atmosphere) an experimental chamber was constructed and integrated in the measuring system for plant physiological studies. Parameters influencing the accuracy of the technique are evaluated. The pressure in the plant chamber increased 0.05 atm at a flow rate of 10 1/h during ethylene trapping. At this flow rate the ethylene production per seedling is independent of the number of seedlings used. The ethylene measured per seedling is directly proportional to the length of trapping time. Under standard conditions of chamber configuration and volume very small changes in ethylene content can be detected accurately in a very short time range. Our experimental arrangement allows kinetic studies of ethylene evolution by biological objects in a qualitative and quantitative manner. All methods used heretofore are more complicated and less accurate compared to the measuring system presented here. Its versatility is demonstrated for both in vitro and in vivo studies of ethylene production by bean seedlings. The application fields of the apparatus are discussed.