Method for the measurement of ethylene during hypoxia in rice plants

Abstract

Ethylene is a versatile phytohormone that is involved in the regulation of both growth and development such as senescence, and also it can act as a signaling hormone during hypoxia. Ethylene acts alone or in interaction with different phytohormones and proteins to regulate numerous cellular processes. Accumulating evidence suggest that endogenous ethylene production and emission into atmosphere are modulated by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Since it is a gaseous hormone, a precise detection, particularly under low-oxygen (hypoxic) conditions, is important for understanding its role in regulatory processes and stress signaling pathways. Currently, measurement practices such as gas chromatography, electrochemical sensing, and optical sensing are widely employed to detect ethylene. These methods are distinct from each other in terms of sensitivity, time response, selectivity, and cost. However, each method has its own advantages and limitations. Gas chromatography (GC) is one of the best techniques that is applied for the separation and measurement of ethylene due to its volatile and supersensitive nature. In this chapter, we describe a detailed GC-based procedure specifically optimized for measuring ethylene levels during hypoxic stress application in (Oryza sativa) rice plants.