Influence of ethylene on adventitious root formation in mung bean hypocotyl cuttings

The relationship between ethylene and adventitious root formation in mung bean hypocotyl cuttings was studied. Ethephon, an ethylene-releasing compound, at 5 x 10(-5) M increased root number and root dry weight on hypo-cotyl cuttings. When ethephon was applied to hypocotyl at different times after excision, there were two effective times for root production i.e. between 06 h and 18-24 h. These two time periods correspond to the induction phase and the late initiation phase of root development, respectively. After excision, three peaks of ethylene production were observed. The first peak commencing at 6 h started the sequence of reactions leading root formation, the second peak appearing at 12 h coincided with the beginning of the increase of the IAA level during primordia initiation, and the third peak showing at 48 h played a role in root differentiation and growth. Ethylene stimulated rooting by enhancing the increase in auxins. Thus it appears that the IAA-induced ethylene production may be a factor involved in the stimulation of adventitious root formation.