Flower senescence.

Abstract

This paper describes the various categories of flower senescence in plants, highlighting the distinct morphological, biochemical or molecular changes associated with each type: (i) age related versus pollination induced; (ii) ethylene sensitive versus ethylene insensitive; and (iii) abscised versus persistent petals. Factors affecting the timing of senescence (e.g. genotypes, carbohydrates, circadian rhythms, interorgan communication, abiotic stresses, pollination, hormones) are discussed. Also, events leading to age-related senescence (ethylene biosynthesis and signalling and expression of associated genes) and pollination-induced senescence (pollination signals and changes upon pollination) are also discussed.