Silver Ion: A Potent Antiethylene Agent in Cucumber and Tomato1

Abstract

Abstract Ag+, applied foliarly as AgNO3 to intact cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Wisconsin SMR-18 and GY3) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Homestead) plants, was a potent inhibitor of ethylene action. In tomatoes, AgNO3 concentrations of 250 and 500 mg/liter counteracted ethylene-induced epinasty, senescence, and abscission during a continuous 6-day-exposure to 1.5 μl/liter of ethylene. In cucumber, 50 and 100 mg/liter treatments of AgNO3 provided outstanding protection against ethylene-induced growth inhibition and senescence during a similar ethylene exposure. AgNO3 applied to ‘GY3’ gynoecious cucumbers at 500 mg/liter effectively shifted sex expression from female to male. Of over 20 other metal ions tested, only Pd and Hg were found to possess antiethylene properties, but their effect was marginal.