Question

Describe physiological effects and applications of gaseous hormones in plants.

Describe physiological effects and applications of ethylene.

Answer 1

Ethylene is the gaseous hormone. Its applications and physiological effects are as follows:

1. It promotes the ripening of fruits like bananas, apples and mangoes.
2. It stimulates the initiation of lateral roots in plants and breaks the dormancy of bud and seed.
3. It accelerates the abscission activity in leaves, flowers and fruits by forming of abscission layer.
4. Ethylene inhibits the growth of lateral buds and causes apical dominance and retards flowering.
5. It is associated with the enhancement of the process of senescence of plant organs.
6. It inhibits flowering in most plants except pineapple.
7. It causes epinasty (drooping) of leaves and flowers.
8. It increases the activity of chlorophyllase enzyme causing degreening effect in banana and Citrus fruits.