Abstract: Ethylene production rate and ACC content of peony ( Paeonia suffruticosa) flower of cultivar‘Huhong’were measured in eight different parts of peony flower, petal, pistil, stamen, receptacle, calyx, stem, petiole and leaf. The change pattern of ethylene production rate of intact flowers depended largely on petals. Receptacle and stamen were the main parts of ethylene production at the senescent stage. Peak of ethylene production rate from stamen occurred at the initial bloom stage. ACC content of petals decreased slowly at the flowering stage and increased rapidly at the senscent stage. ACC content of stem fell continuingly at the flowering and senescence stages. ACC content of petiole and leaf remained virtually unchanged in flowering process. The results indicated that the differences in ethylene and ACC content in various parts of flower played an important role in regulation of inflorescence and senescence, whereas the differences in transportation and distribution of ethylene and ACC existed among organs of peony flower.

Key words: Paeonia suffruticosa, development stage, ethylene, ACC, organ