ETHYLENE PRODUCTION AS AN INDICATOR OF CHILLING INJURY IN OIL PALM (ELAEIS-GUINEENSIS JACQ) SOMATIC EMBRYOS

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) somatic embryos are very susceptible to chilling injury. The critical temperature is found to be close to 18°C. The development of injury increases with decreasing temperature and with extending exposure to chilling temperatures. Ethylene production is inhibited at temperatures below 18°C, however it is enhanced after transfer of somatic embryos to warmer temperature (27°C). This chilling induced ethylene production decreases with extending chilling treatment. Results obtained suggest that ethylene release after warming chilled tissues could be a good indicator of chilling injury severity. Repairing of damage induced by chilling temperatures is associated with an increased activity of the enzymatic system (ethylene forming enzyme) which converts ACC to ethylene. © 1990.