EFFECTS OF METHYL JASMONATE ON ANTHOCYANIN ACCUMULATION, ETHYLENE PRODUCTION, AND CO2 EVOLUTION IN UNCOOLED AND COOLED TULIP BULBS

Effects of methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) on anthocyanin accumulation, ethyl ene production, and CO2 evolution in uncooled and cooled tulips (Tulip a gesneriana L, cvs. Apeldoorn and Gudoshnik) were studied. JA-Me stim ulated anthocyanin accumulation in stems and leaves from uncooled and cooled bulbs of both cultivars, The highest level of anthocyanin accum ulation was observed in leaves from cooled bulbs treated with 200 mu L /liter JA-Me. In sprouting bulbs treated with 100 mu L/liter and highe r concentrations of JA-Me, the ethylene production began to increase a t 3 days after treatment, being extremely greater in uncooled bulbs th an in cooled ones. JA-Me also stimulated CO2 evolution in both cultiva rs, depending on its concentrations. CO2 evolution in sprouting bulbs was not affected by cooling treatment. These results suggest that anth ocyanin accumulation by JA-Me in tulip leaves is not related to ethyle ne production stimulated by JA-Me.