The effects of ethephon on the constitutive aerenchyma formation in roots were studied with a rice variety Yangdao 6 as material. The number of air spaces formed by disintegrated cells in mediopellis increased signifi...The effects of ethephon on the constitutive aerenchyma formation in roots were studied with a rice variety Yangdao 6 as material. The number of air spaces formed by disintegrated cells in mediopellis increased significantly with the rising ethephon concentrations, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity showed downward trends. Compared with the control, the expression levels of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XED gene were markedly higher both at the apical 10 mm and distal parts of roots in 100 mg/L ethephon treated plants. The accumulation of XET was supposed to be associated with the aerenchyma development. Furthermore, earlier cortical cell death was observed under the ethephon treatments, and most of nuclei of cells at 4 mm from the root apex disintegrated with many Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and membranebound vesicles around the cell wall.展开更多
A rapid and reliable method was developed for analysis of ethephon residues in maize, in combination with the investigation of its dissipation in field condition and stabilities during the sample storage. The residue ...A rapid and reliable method was developed for analysis of ethephon residues in maize, in combination with the investigation of its dissipation in field condition and stabilities during the sample storage. The residue analytical method in maize plant, maize kernel and soil was developed based on the quantification of ethylene produced from the derivatization of ethephon residue by adding the saturated potassium hydroxide solution to the sample. The determination was carried out by using the head space gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (HS-GC-FID). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method for maize plant was 0.05, 0.02 mg kg-1 for maize kernel and 0.05 mg kg-1 for soil, respectively. The fortified recoveries of the method were from 84.6-102.6%, with relative standard deviations of 7.9-3.8%. Using the methods, the dissipation of ephethon in maize plant or soil was investigated. The half life of ethephon degradation was from 0.6 to 3.3 d for plant and 0.7 to 5.7 d for soil, respectively. The storage stabilities of ethephon residues were determined in fresh and dry kernels with homogenization and without homogenization process. And the result showed that ethephon residues in maize kernels were stable under-18℃ for 6 mon. The results were helpful to monitor the residue dissipation of ethephon in the maize ecosystem for further ecological risk assessment.展开更多
Many environmental stress factors have been identified to increase square and boll abscission and thus result in reduced cotton yield. Under stress conditions, ethylene is elicited. Ethylene peaks before abscission to...Many environmental stress factors have been identified to increase square and boll abscission and thus result in reduced cotton yield. Under stress conditions, ethylene is elicited. Ethylene peaks before abscission to promote the formation of the abscission layer and plays a major role in early season square and boll abortion in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). In addition, ethylene stimulates the leaf senescence process. Thus, it is desirable to protect plants from ethylene-induced fruit loss and premature leaf senescence under stress conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to protect cotton plants against abiotic stress caused by ethephon (ethylene promoting effect). Field studies using a randomized complete block design with four replications were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at Texas A&M AgriLIFE Research Farm in Burleson County, TX. Eight treatments that consisted of two 1-MCP rates (0 and 10 g a.i. ha-1) in combination with four ethephon rates (0, 146, 292, 438 mL·ha-1) were imposed at the first flower (FF) stage of the development. 1-MCP increased plant height and number of main stem nodes in both years. In addition, 1-MCP-treated plants exhibited greater membrane integrity and increased photosystem II quantum efficiency and thus delayed senescence in both years. These potentials for yield increase were realized in 2011 with 1-MCP treatment exhibiting a higher lint yield. In 2012, although 1-MCP treatment increased number of open fruit and open fruit weight per plant significantly, no significant lint yield increase was detected.展开更多
[Objectives]This study aimed to study the effect of ethephon treatment on the growth of two main grape varieties Kyoho and Shine-Muscat.[Methods]Two-year-old Kyoho and Shine-Muscat grape plants transplanted in the fil...[Objectives]This study aimed to study the effect of ethephon treatment on the growth of two main grape varieties Kyoho and Shine-Muscat.[Methods]Two-year-old Kyoho and Shine-Muscat grape plants transplanted in the film-covered steel-framed greenhouse were used as the test materials.They were pruned horizontally and linearly.In the late growth period,the new shoots were sprayed with ethephon(1500×).During the germination period,10 plants were randomly selected for each variety to investigate the germination situation.Before flowering,20 new shoots with uniform growth were randomly selected for each variety to investigate the growth.During the fruit maturity period,10 clusters of fruits were randomly selected for each variety to determine the related indices of fruit quality.[Results]After the treatment with ethephon,the germination,new shoot growth and fruit quality differed between the two varieties.Overall,the thickness of main stem,main vine and new shoot of Shine-Muscat was greater than that of Kyoho,and the length of new shoot of Kyoho was significantly greater than that of Shine-Muscat.[Conclusions]The growth of Shine-Muscat was more robust.There was little difference in the ear weight of natural fruit setting between the two varieties.Shine-Muscat showed high sugar and low acid contents than Kyoho.展开更多
[Objectives] This study was conducted to establish an analytical method for the determination of ethephon residue in walnuts by UPLC-MS/MS. [Methods] This study was conducted to establish an analytical method for the ...[Objectives] This study was conducted to establish an analytical method for the determination of ethephon residue in walnuts by UPLC-MS/MS. [Methods] This study was conducted to establish an analytical method for the determination of ethephon residue in walnuts by UPLC-MS/MS. [Results] The limit of quantification was 0.1 mg/kg and the recoveries were 94%-105% with the relative standard deviations of 0.82%-2.64% at the spiked levels of 0.1-5.0 mg/kg. [Conclusions] The accuracy and sensitivity of the method meet the requirements of pesticide residue analysis, and the experimental method is simple to operate.展开更多
Dormancy is undesirable character for the peanut seed(Arachis hypogeae).KK 84-7 and KK 6 varieties are characterized to the Virginia type and its dormant period has been one to two months after harvest.The recommendat...Dormancy is undesirable character for the peanut seed(Arachis hypogeae).KK 84-7 and KK 6 varieties are characterized to the Virginia type and its dormant period has been one to two months after harvest.The recommendation for breaking peanut seed dormancy by the International Seed Testing Association(ISTA)rules is preheat at 40°C up to 168 h.The total germination test is 17 d,if breaking dormant seed is required.Effect of ethephon on peanut seed dormancy release was studied in this experiment to reduce the analysis time compared to preheat method.Both varieties of peanut seeds were directly mixed with 0.96%ethephon and preheated at 40°C for 168 h.Standard germinations were conducted for all treated and untreated seeds.Ethephon was the most beneficial to release dormant seed at fresh harvest that achieved 86%and 84%normal seedlings for KK 84-7 and KK 6,respectively.The normal seedlings of preheat treatment showed 75%for KK 84-7,and 66%for KK 6.Only 6%normal seedlings were observed in untreated seeds of KK 84-7 and 56%of KK 6.After storage at 20°C for 28 d,KK 84-7 had over 90%normal seedlings with both ethephon and preheat methods,but only 42%germination was observed in untreated seeds.In KK 6,the highest germination by 90%was found in ethephon,followed by untreated and preheated seeds that were 87%and 83%,respectively.The paired t test of normal seedlings between ethephon and preheat treatments demonstrated that the greater average germination was found in ethephon method for both varieties.This research suggests that ethephon is the advantageous method for breaking peanut seed dormancy.The germination test duration is more rapid,only 10 d,since preheat for 168 h is not necessary.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cellulase in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce (Lactuco sotiva L.) seed germination. The application of abscisic acid (ABA) or e...The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cellulase in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce (Lactuco sotiva L.) seed germination. The application of abscisic acid (ABA) or ethephon inhibits or promotes germination, respectively, by affecting endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation. Cellulase activities, and related protein and transcript abundances of two lettuce cellulase genes, LsCEL1 and LsCEL2, increase in the endosperm cap and radicle prior to radicle protrusion following imbibition in water, ABA or ethephon reduce or elevate, respectively, cellulase activity, and related protein and transcript abundan- ces in the endosperm cap. Taken together, these observations suggest that celiulase plays a role in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce seed germination, and that the regulation of cellulase in the endosperm cap by ABA and ethephon play a role in endosperm cap weakening. However, the influence of ABA and ethephon on radicle elongation may not be through their effects on cellulase.展开更多
There has been no systematic research on the effect of plant growth regulators and silver nitrate treatments on the control of sex expression in watermelon. In this study, we tested sex expression responses of four wa...There has been no systematic research on the effect of plant growth regulators and silver nitrate treatments on the control of sex expression in watermelon. In this study, we tested sex expression responses of four watermelon forms(monoecism, gynoecism, andromonoecism,and hermaphrodite) to gibberellin, ethephon and silver nitrate treatments. Results have shown that, in monoecious plants, gibberellins(GA_3)and ethephon treatments reduced the percentage of female flowers and delayed the occurrence of the first female flower, while silver nitrate induced the formation of bisexual flowers. In gynoecious plants, both ethephon and silver nitrate treatments transformed some female flowers into bisexual flowers, and treatment with ethephon resulted in a mass of abnormal flowers, while no obvious effect of treatment with GA_3 was observed. In andromonoecious plants, ethephon and GA_3 treatments delayed the occurrence of the first bisexual flower, and GA_3 reduced the percentage of bisexual flowers, while no distinct effect for silver nitrate treatment was observed. In hermaphroditic plants, ethephon treatment induced the appearance of numerous abnormal flowers, while no obvious effects for GA_3 and silver nitrate treatments were observed.We analyzed the transcription levels of all the expressed aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase(ACS) homologues in two gynoecious mutants and their wild types. We also tested the gene expression of CitACS4 which had been recognized as the andromonoecious gene in all treatments. All these results suggested that the best masculinizing treatment for breeding of the gynoecious line is silver nitrate, which repressed the expression of CitACS4 and induced many bisexual flowers for use in self-fertilization subsequently.展开更多
The effects of ethephon and abscisic acid(ABA) application on ripening-related genes of pre-harvest ‘Kohi' kiwifruit(Actinidia chinensis) were studied to clarify the possibility of the fruit ripening on the vine....The effects of ethephon and abscisic acid(ABA) application on ripening-related genes of pre-harvest ‘Kohi' kiwifruit(Actinidia chinensis) were studied to clarify the possibility of the fruit ripening on the vine. The fruits were treated on the vine at mature stage with 250 μL·L^(-1)ethephon or 100 μmol·L^(-1)ABA, and the expression levels of chlorophyll synthase(Ac CLS), chlorophyllase1(Ac CLH1), polygalacturonase(Ac PG), expansin(Ac EXP),β-amylase(Acβ-AM), sucrose synthase(Ac SUSY), MADS-box SEPALLATA4/RIPENING INHIBITOR-like(Ac SEP4/RIN) and FRUITFUL-like(Ac TDR4/FUL) genes were analyzed. The expression levels of Ac PG, Ac EXP, Acβ-AM, and Ac SUSY increased in the ethephon-treated fruit, but those of Ac CLH1 at 6and 9 days after treatment and Ac CLS decreased. Moreover, the expression levels of Ac SEP4/RIN and Ac TDR4/FUL, the latter of which is associated with ethylene biosynthesis, were higher in the ethephon-treated fruit. The expression level of each gene in ABA-treated fruit was not significantly different from that of the untreated control. The results suggest that ethephon application increases the expression levels of Ac PG,Ac EXP, Acβ-AM, Ac SUSY, Ac SEP4/RIN, and Ac TDR4/FUL in ‘Kohi' kiwifruit on the vine.展开更多
Plant growth regulators(PGRs) are commonly used in cereal cropping systems to restrict plant height and control lodging. Ethephon has been reported to shorten internodes and increase grain yield of maize. To analyze t...Plant growth regulators(PGRs) are commonly used in cereal cropping systems to restrict plant height and control lodging. Ethephon has been reported to shorten internodes and increase grain yield of maize. To analyze the transcriptomic profiles of maize internode elongation following ethephon treatment, differentially expressed genes were compared between the treatment and contro samples of inbred line Zong 31 using the Affymetrix Maize Genome Array. According to the microarray data 326 probe sets showed significant change in expression Further research revealed that the most remarkable effects of ethephon on maize internodes elongation occurred during a 48 h period, when 89 differentially expressed genes were detected. There were dramatic change in transcript levels at 24 h and six Auxin transport genes and four gibberellin biosynthesis pathway genes were differentially expressed in Zong 31 in response to ethephon treatment. In summary, we showed that gaseous ethylene release is involved in internode meristem cell elongation through the regulation of plant hormone signaling in maize. This work provides a platform for studies in which candidate genes will be functionally tested for involvement in internode elongation.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.30871467)
文摘The effects of ethephon on the constitutive aerenchyma formation in roots were studied with a rice variety Yangdao 6 as material. The number of air spaces formed by disintegrated cells in mediopellis increased significantly with the rising ethephon concentrations, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity showed downward trends. Compared with the control, the expression levels of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XED gene were markedly higher both at the apical 10 mm and distal parts of roots in 100 mg/L ethephon treated plants. The accumulation of XET was supposed to be associated with the aerenchyma development. Furthermore, earlier cortical cell death was observed under the ethephon treatments, and most of nuclei of cells at 4 mm from the root apex disintegrated with many Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and membranebound vesicles around the cell wall.
基金partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21177155)
文摘A rapid and reliable method was developed for analysis of ethephon residues in maize, in combination with the investigation of its dissipation in field condition and stabilities during the sample storage. The residue analytical method in maize plant, maize kernel and soil was developed based on the quantification of ethylene produced from the derivatization of ethephon residue by adding the saturated potassium hydroxide solution to the sample. The determination was carried out by using the head space gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (HS-GC-FID). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method for maize plant was 0.05, 0.02 mg kg-1 for maize kernel and 0.05 mg kg-1 for soil, respectively. The fortified recoveries of the method were from 84.6-102.6%, with relative standard deviations of 7.9-3.8%. Using the methods, the dissipation of ephethon in maize plant or soil was investigated. The half life of ethephon degradation was from 0.6 to 3.3 d for plant and 0.7 to 5.7 d for soil, respectively. The storage stabilities of ethephon residues were determined in fresh and dry kernels with homogenization and without homogenization process. And the result showed that ethephon residues in maize kernels were stable under-18℃ for 6 mon. The results were helpful to monitor the residue dissipation of ethephon in the maize ecosystem for further ecological risk assessment.
文摘Many environmental stress factors have been identified to increase square and boll abscission and thus result in reduced cotton yield. Under stress conditions, ethylene is elicited. Ethylene peaks before abscission to promote the formation of the abscission layer and plays a major role in early season square and boll abortion in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). In addition, ethylene stimulates the leaf senescence process. Thus, it is desirable to protect plants from ethylene-induced fruit loss and premature leaf senescence under stress conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to protect cotton plants against abiotic stress caused by ethephon (ethylene promoting effect). Field studies using a randomized complete block design with four replications were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at Texas A&M AgriLIFE Research Farm in Burleson County, TX. Eight treatments that consisted of two 1-MCP rates (0 and 10 g a.i. ha-1) in combination with four ethephon rates (0, 146, 292, 438 mL·ha-1) were imposed at the first flower (FF) stage of the development. 1-MCP increased plant height and number of main stem nodes in both years. In addition, 1-MCP-treated plants exhibited greater membrane integrity and increased photosystem II quantum efficiency and thus delayed senescence in both years. These potentials for yield increase were realized in 2011 with 1-MCP treatment exhibiting a higher lint yield. In 2012, although 1-MCP treatment increased number of open fruit and open fruit weight per plant significantly, no significant lint yield increase was detected.
基金Fundamental Research Fund of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences(Gui Nong Ke 2020YM50)Key Research and Development Project of Science and Technology Bureau of Qingxiu District(2020007)+1 种基金Agricultural Park Project of Science and Technology Bureau of Qingxiu District(2019NO2)Nanning Comprehensive Test Station of National Grape Industry Technology System(CARS-29-20).
文摘[Objectives]This study aimed to study the effect of ethephon treatment on the growth of two main grape varieties Kyoho and Shine-Muscat.[Methods]Two-year-old Kyoho and Shine-Muscat grape plants transplanted in the film-covered steel-framed greenhouse were used as the test materials.They were pruned horizontally and linearly.In the late growth period,the new shoots were sprayed with ethephon(1500×).During the germination period,10 plants were randomly selected for each variety to investigate the germination situation.Before flowering,20 new shoots with uniform growth were randomly selected for each variety to investigate the growth.During the fruit maturity period,10 clusters of fruits were randomly selected for each variety to determine the related indices of fruit quality.[Results]After the treatment with ethephon,the germination,new shoot growth and fruit quality differed between the two varieties.Overall,the thickness of main stem,main vine and new shoot of Shine-Muscat was greater than that of Kyoho,and the length of new shoot of Kyoho was significantly greater than that of Shine-Muscat.[Conclusions]The growth of Shine-Muscat was more robust.There was little difference in the ear weight of natural fruit setting between the two varieties.Shine-Muscat showed high sugar and low acid contents than Kyoho.
文摘[Objectives] This study was conducted to establish an analytical method for the determination of ethephon residue in walnuts by UPLC-MS/MS. [Methods] This study was conducted to establish an analytical method for the determination of ethephon residue in walnuts by UPLC-MS/MS. [Results] The limit of quantification was 0.1 mg/kg and the recoveries were 94%-105% with the relative standard deviations of 0.82%-2.64% at the spiked levels of 0.1-5.0 mg/kg. [Conclusions] The accuracy and sensitivity of the method meet the requirements of pesticide residue analysis, and the experimental method is simple to operate.
文摘Dormancy is undesirable character for the peanut seed(Arachis hypogeae).KK 84-7 and KK 6 varieties are characterized to the Virginia type and its dormant period has been one to two months after harvest.The recommendation for breaking peanut seed dormancy by the International Seed Testing Association(ISTA)rules is preheat at 40°C up to 168 h.The total germination test is 17 d,if breaking dormant seed is required.Effect of ethephon on peanut seed dormancy release was studied in this experiment to reduce the analysis time compared to preheat method.Both varieties of peanut seeds were directly mixed with 0.96%ethephon and preheated at 40°C for 168 h.Standard germinations were conducted for all treated and untreated seeds.Ethephon was the most beneficial to release dormant seed at fresh harvest that achieved 86%and 84%normal seedlings for KK 84-7 and KK 6,respectively.The normal seedlings of preheat treatment showed 75%for KK 84-7,and 66%for KK 6.Only 6%normal seedlings were observed in untreated seeds of KK 84-7 and 56%of KK 6.After storage at 20°C for 28 d,KK 84-7 had over 90%normal seedlings with both ethephon and preheat methods,but only 42%germination was observed in untreated seeds.In KK 6,the highest germination by 90%was found in ethephon,followed by untreated and preheated seeds that were 87%and 83%,respectively.The paired t test of normal seedlings between ethephon and preheat treatments demonstrated that the greater average germination was found in ethephon method for both varieties.This research suggests that ethephon is the advantageous method for breaking peanut seed dormancy.The germination test duration is more rapid,only 10 d,since preheat for 168 h is not necessary.
基金funded by a grant (no.30870224) from the Natural Science Foundation of China to XW
文摘The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cellulase in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce (Lactuco sotiva L.) seed germination. The application of abscisic acid (ABA) or ethephon inhibits or promotes germination, respectively, by affecting endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation. Cellulase activities, and related protein and transcript abundances of two lettuce cellulase genes, LsCEL1 and LsCEL2, increase in the endosperm cap and radicle prior to radicle protrusion following imbibition in water, ABA or ethephon reduce or elevate, respectively, cellulase activity, and related protein and transcript abundan- ces in the endosperm cap. Taken together, these observations suggest that celiulase plays a role in endosperm cap weakening and radicle elongation during lettuce seed germination, and that the regulation of cellulase in the endosperm cap by ABA and ethephon play a role in endosperm cap weakening. However, the influence of ABA and ethephon on radicle elongation may not be through their effects on cellulase.
基金financially supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of The People’s Republic of China (2016YFD0101007, 2016YF100204-13)NSFC Research Program (31361140355, 31401893, 31272184, and 31301738)+3 种基金Beijing Scholar Program (BSP026)Beijing Nova Program (Z161100004916081)Beijing Excellent Talents Program (2014000021223TD03, 2016000021223ZK19)Ministry of Agriculture of China (CARS-26)
文摘There has been no systematic research on the effect of plant growth regulators and silver nitrate treatments on the control of sex expression in watermelon. In this study, we tested sex expression responses of four watermelon forms(monoecism, gynoecism, andromonoecism,and hermaphrodite) to gibberellin, ethephon and silver nitrate treatments. Results have shown that, in monoecious plants, gibberellins(GA_3)and ethephon treatments reduced the percentage of female flowers and delayed the occurrence of the first female flower, while silver nitrate induced the formation of bisexual flowers. In gynoecious plants, both ethephon and silver nitrate treatments transformed some female flowers into bisexual flowers, and treatment with ethephon resulted in a mass of abnormal flowers, while no obvious effect of treatment with GA_3 was observed. In andromonoecious plants, ethephon and GA_3 treatments delayed the occurrence of the first bisexual flower, and GA_3 reduced the percentage of bisexual flowers, while no distinct effect for silver nitrate treatment was observed. In hermaphroditic plants, ethephon treatment induced the appearance of numerous abnormal flowers, while no obvious effects for GA_3 and silver nitrate treatments were observed.We analyzed the transcription levels of all the expressed aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase(ACS) homologues in two gynoecious mutants and their wild types. We also tested the gene expression of CitACS4 which had been recognized as the andromonoecious gene in all treatments. All these results suggested that the best masculinizing treatment for breeding of the gynoecious line is silver nitrate, which repressed the expression of CitACS4 and induced many bisexual flowers for use in self-fertilization subsequently.
文摘The effects of ethephon and abscisic acid(ABA) application on ripening-related genes of pre-harvest ‘Kohi' kiwifruit(Actinidia chinensis) were studied to clarify the possibility of the fruit ripening on the vine. The fruits were treated on the vine at mature stage with 250 μL·L^(-1)ethephon or 100 μmol·L^(-1)ABA, and the expression levels of chlorophyll synthase(Ac CLS), chlorophyllase1(Ac CLH1), polygalacturonase(Ac PG), expansin(Ac EXP),β-amylase(Acβ-AM), sucrose synthase(Ac SUSY), MADS-box SEPALLATA4/RIPENING INHIBITOR-like(Ac SEP4/RIN) and FRUITFUL-like(Ac TDR4/FUL) genes were analyzed. The expression levels of Ac PG, Ac EXP, Acβ-AM, and Ac SUSY increased in the ethephon-treated fruit, but those of Ac CLH1 at 6and 9 days after treatment and Ac CLS decreased. Moreover, the expression levels of Ac SEP4/RIN and Ac TDR4/FUL, the latter of which is associated with ethylene biosynthesis, were higher in the ethephon-treated fruit. The expression level of each gene in ABA-treated fruit was not significantly different from that of the untreated control. The results suggest that ethephon application increases the expression levels of Ac PG,Ac EXP, Acβ-AM, Ac SUSY, Ac SEP4/RIN, and Ac TDR4/FUL in ‘Kohi' kiwifruit on the vine.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (2011AA10 A206)
文摘Plant growth regulators(PGRs) are commonly used in cereal cropping systems to restrict plant height and control lodging. Ethephon has been reported to shorten internodes and increase grain yield of maize. To analyze the transcriptomic profiles of maize internode elongation following ethephon treatment, differentially expressed genes were compared between the treatment and contro samples of inbred line Zong 31 using the Affymetrix Maize Genome Array. According to the microarray data 326 probe sets showed significant change in expression Further research revealed that the most remarkable effects of ethephon on maize internodes elongation occurred during a 48 h period, when 89 differentially expressed genes were detected. There were dramatic change in transcript levels at 24 h and six Auxin transport genes and four gibberellin biosynthesis pathway genes were differentially expressed in Zong 31 in response to ethephon treatment. In summary, we showed that gaseous ethylene release is involved in internode meristem cell elongation through the regulation of plant hormone signaling in maize. This work provides a platform for studies in which candidate genes will be functionally tested for involvement in internode elongation.