Dendrobium orchids carrying antisense ACC oxidase: small changes in flower morphology and a delay of bud abortion, flower senescence, and abscission of flowers.

Four Dendrobium Sonia 'Earsakul' lines were generated by insertion of one, two or three antisense copies of a Carica papaya gene encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (CpACO). Whole vegetative plants of the transgenic lines showed about 50% of the basal ethylene production rate, while the increase in ethylene production in floral buds during opening and open flowers prior to visible senescence was delayed. Detailed analysis of more than 100 parameters in flowering plants showed no effect of antisense ACO on plant morphology and coloration, except for shorter length and width of some of the sepals and petals. In intact plants the water-soaking of floral buds as well as bud abscission were delayed by ACO antisense, as was the time to senescence of open flowers. Pollen viability and pollen tube growth were not affected in the transgenic lines. In cut inflorescences placed in water, bud yellowing, bud water soaking, and bud abscission were considerably delayed by the antisense construct, while the life span of open flowers were increased and abscission of open flowers were delayed. It is concluded that the reduction of ACO activity affected the shape of some petals/sepals and delayed the abortion in floral buds, and the senescence and abscission of open flowers.