Optimal and spatial analysis of hormones, degrading enzymes and isozyme profiles in tomato pedicel explants during ethylene-induced abscission

Activities of degrading enzymes, hormones concentration and zymogram patterns were investigated during control and ethylene-induced abscission of tomato pedicel explants. Exogenous ethylene accelerated abscission of pedicel explants. It was showed that IAA concentration in abscission zone tended to decline at first and then was reduced before separation in control and ethylene-treatment. Moreover, IAA (indole acetic acid) and ABA (abscise acid) concentrations were elevated in each segment when exposing to ethylene, but GA(1 + 3) (gibberellin1 + gibberellin3) concentration was decreased in abscission zone and the proximal side. Activities of cellulase, polygalacturonase and pectinesterase in the explants were induced in the separating process and strengthened by ethylene. However, comparing with the proximal side, cellulase and polygalacturonase activities in abscission zone and distal side were higher. Electrophoresis of isozymes revealed that at least three peroxidase and three superoxidase isozymes appeared in the explants, respectively. One peroxidase isozyme exhibited differentially among the three positions in control and ethylene-treatment. One esterase isozyme weakened or disappeared in the following hours, but three novel esterase isozymes were detectable from beginning of the process. The data presented support the hypothesis that the distal side, together with abscission zone of explants plays a more important role in separation than does the proximal side. The possible roles of degrading enzymes, hormones and isozymes in three segments during ethylene-induced abscission of tomato pedicel explants are discussed.