Potentiation and inhibition of the effects of 2-chloroethylphosphonic Acid by malformin.

Malformin completely inhibited Ethrel-induced swelling and fresh weight increase on the basal stem portion of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cuttings, but markedly potentiated Ethrel- or ethylene-induced abscission. With regard to abscission, malformin reacted synergistically with ethylene and dark aging, and in a manner which appeared to differ from that of ethylene and dark aging. The numerous effects of malformin on plant growth and development cannot be explained in simple terms of enhanced ethylene production.