Comparative effects of gibberellin, silver nitrate and aminoethoxyvinyl glycine on sexual tendency and ethylene evolution in the cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.)

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Abstract
All three experimental compounds induced, after two sprays, the development of staminate flowers in otherwise strictly gynoecious cucumbers. Silver nitrate and aminoethoxyvinyl glycine (AVG) also induced perfect flowers and the appearance of multiple pistillate and/or perfect buds on each node. Gibberellin (A4+7) had no effect on ethylene evolution, silver nitrate increased it, and AVG drastically reduced it. These differences between the three compounds indicate different mechanisms for the male-enhancing effects. Inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis by AVG and inhibition of its action and/or metabolism by silver nitrate, leading to a decrease in endogenous ethylene activity and thus to an enhanced male tendency. The GA effect does not seem to involve a change in ethylene content, and therefore must be through another, yet unknown, mechanism.