Induction of ethylene formation in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) hypocotyl segments by preparations isolated from germ tube cell walls of Uromyces phaseoli.

Hypocotyl segments of Phaseolus vulgaris produce ethylene at pH 8.0 and ethane at pH 5.4. Ethylene formation, but not ethane formation, was stimulated by methionine, while α-linolenic acid stimulated both ethylene and ethane formation. Detached primary leaves of var. "Favorit" (susceptible to Uromyces phaseoli) show no enhanced ethylene formation, whereas primary leaves from var. 017 (hypersensitive) exhibit two distinct ethylene peaks ca. 10 h and 50 h after inoculation with U. phaseoli.Cell wall preparations from uredospore germ tubes of U. phaseoli strongly stimulate ethylene formation in hypocotyl segments of the hypersensitive var. 017 but to a much lesser extent in the susceptible var. Favorit.