Anatomical and Histochemical Studies of the Abscission Process in the Juncture Tissue Between the Perianth and Receptacle Tissue on Lilium 'Pollyanna'

Abstract

Abscission layer formation and development and abscission process of cut lily perianth were investigated anatomically and histochemically by applications of ethephon. At three days after application with ethephon, cell walls of the juncture tissue between the perianth and receptacle were disintegrated. Histochemical study showed that the pectic materials were dissoluted from the middle-lamella of the abscission region. The results indicate that the cell degrading enzymes such as pectinase may play a role in perianth abscission.