Lysophosphatidylethanolamine effects on horticultural commodities: A review

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) is a naturally occurring lipid with regulatory effects in senescence and ripening. When applied exogenously to horticultural crops, LPE affects growth, development, and postharvest longevity. The effects of exogenously applied LPE have been studied in a range of plant organs in more than a dozen horticultural species. The claimed horticultural benefits include delayed leaf senescence, stimulation of ripening in table grape, acceleration of color development and extension of shelf-life in cranberry and tomato, and increased vase life of cut flowers. Responses to LPE application are found to vary dramatically within horticultural commodity, developmental stage, and organ type. Effects on ethylene responses are contradictory. LPE inhibits phospholipase D and is reported to affect the activity of enzymes relevant for produce quality, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase and acid invertase. The biochemical mode of action of LPE is poorly understood. In particular, a mechanism by which a plant growth regulator might delay senescence of plant organs and accelerate ripening-related changes is not obvious. The horticultural, physiological and biochemical effects of LPE are reviewed in an attempt to highlight the knowledge gaps regarding the putative regulatory role of exogenously applied LPE.

► LPE is claimed to affect growth, development, and postharvest longevity of horticultural organs.
► Contradictory and inconsistent physiological responses to LPE have been reported.
► A tentative model, based on putative effects of LPE on ethylene and on phospholipase D is proposed.
► The model allows the identification of knowledge gaps regarding LPE effects.
► It is currently unknown if the horticultural effects attributed to LPE are specific responses.