Anatomical and Histochemical Aspects of Ethephon-Induced Leaf Abscission in Olive (Olea europaea L.)

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Abstract
A well-defined abscission zone, characterized by isodiametric cortical parenchyma cells, the absence of perivascular fibers and shortened vascular elements, occurs at the petiole base of mature olive leaves. The abscission-zone cells proximal and distal to the separation layer contain high levels of starch. Separation, preceded by swelling of cell walls and the dissolution of the middle lamella between adjacent separation layer cells, begins in the abaxial cortical parenchyma in the region of the vascular tissue. There is a rapid increase in total protein content in the separation-layer cells following ethephon treatment and a corresponding decrease in levels of pectic substances in the transverse walls of separation-layer cells. Neither cell divisions, tylose formation nor lignification occurred the abscission-zone cells up to the time of leaf drop.

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