Ethylene generation and reversal of ethylene effects during development in vitro of rapid-cycling Brassica campestris L

A rapid-cycling line of Brassica compestris L was grown from seed to maturity in vitro. Ethylene accumulated in culture containers throughout the growth period when these were tightly sealed (i.e. closed with aluminum foil, tight plastic caps, parafilm or rubber stoppers), whereas no C 2 H 4 was detected in vented containers (i.e. closed with foam or cotton plugs, or loosely fitted plastic caps). Under both closure conditions, mean levels of CO 2 , O 2 and N 2 were similar to atmospheric levels. The accumulation of C 2 H 4 in sealed containers was associated with inhibition of plant development. Plants grown in a sealed condition had swollen hypocotyls, fewer and smaller leaves and either abortive flowers or no floral buds whereas plants in vented containers developed normally to maturity. Significant reversion to normal development was observed when plants growing in sealed containers were treated with 2,5-norbornadie e (NBD), an anti-C 2 H 4 compound. Treatment with NBD offers a promising way of regulating C 2 H 4 effects in vitro.