Ethylene requirement during germination of Botrytis cinerea spores

Application of 2,5-norbornadiene, a competitive inhibitor of ethylene, effectively inhibited the germination of Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. spores. The transfer of spores from 2,5-norbornadiene to air relieved inhibition by norbornadiene, indicating that its effects are non-toxic and reversible. Ethephon (2-chloroethylophosphonic acid), which stimulates spore germination of B. cinerea , does not affect germination in the presence of norbornadiene. However, ethephon appeared to be effective in relieving inhibition, when norbornadiene was removed from the atmosphere surrounding spores. The addition of ethylene to an atmosphere enriched with norbornadiene, counteracted the inhibition of spore germination. The inhibition of spore germination by 2,5-norbornadiene and the reversal of this effect by ethephon or ethylene, indicate that the action of ethylene is indispensable for germination of B. cinerea spores.