Fruit age and changes in abscisic acid content, ethylene production, and abscission rate of cotton fruits [Gossypium hirsutum]

The relationships of fruit age, abscisic acid (ABA) concentration, ethylene evolution, and abscission rates were studied in an effort to determine why cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L., cv. Deltapine 16) fruits rarely abscise more than 15 days after anthesis. Because abscission of cotton fruits is increased by conditions that limit photosynthesis, greenhouse-grown plants with fruits of various ages were placed in dim light for 3 days to induce high rates of fruit abscission. Abscission rates, ABA concentrations, and ethylene evolution rates were determined for fruits of various ages. Almost all of the young fruits abscised, but abscission rate declined with age until almost no abscission was observed in fruits that were 15 or more days past anthesis. Dim light increased the ABA concentrations of fruits that were 6 to 11 days old but did not increase ABA concentrations in fruits that were younger or older. The concentration of ABA declined with fruit age from peak values at 4 and 6 days after anthesis. Dim light also increased ethylene evolution from fruits up to 10 days old but had little effect on ethylene production or abscission of fruits more than 11 days old. Ethylene evolution declined with fruit age from peak values at 4 and 6 days after anthesis. Fruits of various ages (from plants not exposed to dim light) were sliced to induce high rates of wound ethylene production. The results indicated that the capacity for ethylene production declined with fruit age, parallel with a decline in abscission rate. Decreases in ABA concentration and ethylene evolution with fruit age indicate that change in the capacity to synthesize these hormones, especially in response to stress, is one cause of the decline in abscission rates as cotton fruits become older.