Mutations in tomato 1?aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase2 uncover its role in development beside fruit ripening

The role of ethylene in plant development is mostly inferred from its exogenous application. usage mutants affecting biosynthesis proffers a better alternative to decipher role. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), 1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase2 (ACS2) key enzyme regulating ripening-specific biosynthesis. We characterised two contrasting acs2 mutants; acs2-1 overproduces ethylene, has higher ACS activity, and increased protein levels, while acs2-2 an underproducer, displays lower levels than wild type. Consistent with high/low emission, the show opposite phenotypes, physiological responses, metabolomic profiles compared mutant shows early seed germination, faster leaf senescence, accelerated fruit ripening. Conversely, delayed slower prolonged phytohormone were leaves fruits. faster/slower senescence acs2-1/acs2-2 correlated endogenous ethylene/zeatin ratio. genetic analysis showed that metabolite respective co-segregated homozygous progeny. Our results uncover besides ripening, ACS2 participates vegetative reproductive tomato. distinct influence on indicates intertwining action other phytohormones development.