The Arabidopsis DELAYED DEHISCENCE1 gene encodes an enzyme in the jasmonicacid synthesis pathway

delayed dehiscence1 is an Arabidopsis T-DNA mutant in which anthers release pollen grains too late for pollination to occur. The delayed dehiscence1 d efect is caused by a delay in the stomium degeneration program. The gene di srupted in delayed dehiscence1 encodes 12-oxophytodienoate reductase, an en zyme in the jasmonic acid biosynthesis pathway. We rescued the mutant pheno type by exogenous application of jasmonic acid and obtained seed set from p reviously male-sterile plants. In situ hybridization studies showed that du ring the early stages of floral development, DELAYED DEHISCENCE1 mRNA accum ulated within all floral organs. Later, DELAYED DEHISCENCE1 mRNA accumulate d specifically within the pistil, petals, and stamen filaments. DELAYED DEH ISCENCE1 mRNA was not detected in the stomium and septum cells of the anthe r that are involved in pollen release. The T-DNA insertion in delayed dehis cence1 eliminated both DELAYED DEHISCENCE1 mRNA accumulation and 12-oxophyt odienoate reductase activity. These experiments suggest that jasmonic acid signaling plays a role in controlling the time of anther dehiscence within the flower.