A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF METHYL JASMONATE AND ABSCISIC-ACID ON SOME RICE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES

The effects of methyljasmonate (MJ) and abscisic acid (ABA) on some ph ysiological processes of rice were compared. MJ exhibited ABA-like eff ects by promoting senescence of detached leaves, by inducing acid phos phatase activity of detached leaves, by inhibiting ethylene production and shoot growth of seedlings, as well as inhibiting callus formation from anthers. However, MJ and ABA had opposite effects on 1-aminocycl opropane-1-carboxylic acid-dependent ethylene production in detached l eaves. The regeneration ability of anther-derived callus was inhibited by MJ but not by ABA. MJ but not ABA markedly induced peroxidase acti vity in senescing detached leaves. It is concluded that not all physio logical processes of rice affected by MJ are similar to those by ABA.