Differential effect of ethylene supplementation and inhibition on abscisic acid metabolism of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers during storage

Ethylene is used as a commercial potato sprout suppressant, but the role of ethylene in potato dormancy is unclear and contradictory. Two potato cultivars ‘Estima’ and ‘Marfona’ were treated with air or continuous ethylene (10 μL L−1), transferred from air to ethylene or vice versa at first indication of sprouting (10% peeping of the control tubers), over three seasons. The ethylene binding inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene, was applied (1 μL L−1 for 24 h) either at harvest and/or at first indication of sprouting. Tubers were stored at 6 °C for 30 weeks and assessed for sprout length and number, and non-structural carbohydrate content. Abscisic acid (ABA) metabolism in tubers throughout storage was monitored. Ethylene applied from harvest or the first indication of sprouting reduced sprout growth significantly for both cultivars while ethylene induced sugar accumulation was prevented by 1-MCP application prior to ethylene storage. Multiple applications of 1-MCP showed no additional benefit to ethylene induced sugar accumulation. A rise in ABA content in flesh tissue was observed in response to ethylene application while 1-MCP blocked the ethylene induced rise in ABA caused by exogenous and endogenous ethylene. The increase in ABA caused by ethylene may delay dormancy break yet 1-MCP blocked this rise in ABA with no apparent effect on sprout behaviour. Sucrose is a prerequisite signalling molecule for hormonal dormancy control. 1-MCP reduced the ethylene induced rise in sucrose content therefore although 1-MCP reduced ABA, the reduction in sucrose content may still have delayed sprout initiation. However, the level of sucrose in the 1-MCP treated tubers did not decrease below that of the control. Taken together, ABA and sucrose may play a role in the sprout suppressing ability of exogenously applied ethylene, but it is clear that other factors are involved.