Stimulation by Ethylene of Axis and Hypocotyl Growth in Bean and Cocklebur Seedlings

Effects of ethylene on the elongation of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) embryonic axes and hypocotyls, and of cocklebur (Xanthium pennsylvanicum) hypocotyls were studied. In the bean axes, exogenous ethylene was promotive in stimulating longitudinal growth during the early germination period, but thereafter it turned inhibitive. This transition of the ethylene action is likely involved in the appearance of newly differentiated tissues in the hypocotyl, which are negatively sensitive to the gas. The ethylene stimulated elongation of the axes was hardly affected by light or by the presence of the cotyledons. In the bean hypocotyl segment unit, elongation was stimulated by ethylene in its limited zone, when the concentration of ethylene and the exposure times to ethylene were adequate (0.3 to 30 μl/l, 6 to 8 h): Elongation in the much younger region near to the elbow was inhibited by ethylene treatment, whereas the treatment of the upper region of the shank with ethylene finally resulted in significantly increased growth as compared to the untreated controls. In the continuing presence of ethylene over 3 days, the elongation of every region was retarded markedly and radial growth was induced in most regions of the shank from just below the elbow. These ethylene responses occurred independently of red light irradiation, but the ethylene promotion of elongation was lost by shortening the segment height, by removing the hook portion from the segment unit, or with its natural disappearance as a result of ageing. Fundamentally, similar effects of ethylene was observed in cocklebur hypocotyls.