Ethylene-influenced development of tree peony cut flowers and characterization of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and perception

Effect of ethylene and ethylene antagonist 1-methycyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest development of two Paeonia suffruticosa cultivars was investigated. According to the monitoring results, postharvest development of 'Luoyang Hong' was accelerated by ethylene and postponed by 1-MCP treatment, while 'Xue Ying Tao Hua' was ethylene-insensitive. Ethylene production was elevated by ethylene treatment in 'Luoyang Hong', but our study failed to provide evidence for involvement of the isolated biosynthetic genes in ethylene response. Three ethylene receptor genes were isolated and clustered with AtETR1, AtERS1, AtEIN4, respectively. Expression patterns of genes involved in ethylene signal pathway were tested during development of the two cultivars and in response to exogenous ethylene and 1-MCP. Expression patterns of PsERS1 and PsEIN4 showed significant differences between 'Luoyang Hong' and 'Xue Ying Tao Hua'. Besides, PsEIL2, PsEIL3 and PsERF1 may play a role in regulation of ethylene response of tree peony. The present study provides insights into ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction in tree peony cut flowers. However, further studies were needed to verify the gene function and to understand the mechanism underlying postharvest development of tree peony. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.