Abstract: The relationship between endogenous ethylene and the development and the operation of the alternative respiration pathway in aged potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ) tuber slices were investigated. During the 24 h aging period under 30 ℃, along with the great increase of the total respiratory rate (Vt) of the slices, the alternative pathway capacity (Valt) developed continuously, and the Valt/Vt values kept increasing as well. Both the alternative pathway activity (ρValt) and its contribution to Vt(ρValt/Vt) also increased gradually before 12 h of aging, but kept constant from 12 h to 24 h. The time course of the endogenous ethylene production of the aged slices was similar to the changing trends of Valt and Valt/Vt, but different from those of ρValt and ρValt/Vt values. ACC and Cu2 + treatment which stimulated ethylene production of the aged slices enhanced their Valt and Valt/ Vt values, Co2 + and Ag+ treatment resulted in a decreased effect. However, all the above treat ments of ethylene-related agents could not alter the continuously decreasing trend of the ρ value of the alternative pathway of the aged slices. And their effects on ρValt and ρValt/Vt values were only observed before 12 h of aging. These results suggested that the endogenous ethylene was essential to the development of the capacity of alternative pathway, but could only slightly influence the operation of the activity of the alternative pathway in aged potato tuber slices.

Key words: Endogenous ethylene, Development of the alternative pathway, Operation of the alternative pathway, Aging, Potato tuber slices