Influence of Ethylene Produced by Soil Microorganisms on Etiolated Pea Seedlings

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There is indirect evidence that soil microorganisms producing ethylene (C2H4) can influence plant growth and development, but unequivocal proof is lacking in the literature. A laboratory study was conducted to demonstrate the validity of this speculation. Four experiments were carried out to observe the characteristic “triple” response of etiolated pea seedlings to C2H4 microbially derived from l-methionine as a substrate in the presence or absence of Ag(I), a potent inhibitor of C2H4 action. In two experiments, the combination of l-methionine and Acremonium falciforme (as an inoculum) was used, while in another study the indigenous soil microflora was responsible for C2H4 production. A standardized experiment was conducted with C2H4 gas to compare the contribution of the microflora to plant growth. In all cases, etiolated pea seedlings exhibited the classical triple response, which includes reduction in elongation, swelling of the hypocotyl, and a change in the direction of growth (horizontal). The presence of Ag(I) afforded protection to the pea seedlings against the microbially derived C2H4. This study demonstrates that microbially produced C2H4 in soil can influence plant growth.

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