| Abstract: | Determinations of pectin methylesterase in abscission zonesand surrounding parts of Phaseolus leaves have shown a relativelyhigh activity in young tissues, which decreases as the leafgrows older. The greatest fall occurs in the pulvinus. In non-senescent leaves, the enzyme activity is higher in pulvinithan elsewhere and there is a gradient of activity across theline of abscission from the pulvinus to the petiole or stem.During senescence this gradient falls, and is generally reversedat abscission. Data suggest that the advent of abscission maybe linked to the steepness of this gradient. If abscission of leaves or isolated abscission zones is acceleratedby appropriate treatments there is a more rapid decrease inpectin methylesterase activity than in the controls, and a morerapid fall in the gradient across the line of abscission. Ifabscission is retarded the enzyme activity is sustained andthe gradient is maintained or increased. The results are discussed in relation to the changes that mayoccur in the pectic constituents of cell walls during senescenceand abscission, and in relation to some of the known effectsof auxins on pectin metabolism. |
