Effect of Temperature on Quinclorac-Induced Ethylene Production from Corn Leaves

Abstract

Effect of temperature ethylene evolution from corn leaves, which was induced by on the herbicide quinclorac (3, 7-dichloro-8-quinolinecarboxylic acid), was investigated. The results indicated that not only the temperature after quinclorac treatment but also that prior to the treatment significantly influenced the quinclorac-induced ethylene production from corn leaves. Furthermore, a rapid cooling (from 30°C to 20°C) caused suppression of quinclorac-induced ethylene production, depending on the cumulative temperature after the herbicide-application. On the contrary, a rapid warming (from 20°C to 30°C) during quinclorac application increased significantly the ethylene production more than the estimates accounted for by the cumulative temperature; suggesting that a rapid warming may increase the amount of ethylene biosynthesis enzyme induced by quinclorac under light exposure.