Ethylene production was studied during the development and senescence of seeds and pericarp tissues of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) pods (siliquae). In the course of the rise to a pre-senescence climacteric, little change in 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) was recorded in the seeds, indicating a rapid conversion to ethylene. In contrast, very small amounts of ethylene were produced by the pod wall (PW) tissues, which included the dehiscence zone (DZ), while levels of free and conjugated ACC in the PW increased consistently. As climacteric ethylene production by the seeds declined, biosynthesis of ethylene by the PW increased. Effects of reducing ethylene production by various means were examined in relation to cell separation in the dehiscence zone. Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) applied during the presenescence climacteric reduced ACC levels and ethylene production by the seeds, but did not affect subsequent values in the PW. The production of β-1,4-glucanase and the separation of the cells of the DZ were delayed for 3-4 d by AVG, but the force required to open fully mature pods was unaltered. In parthenocarpic (seedless) pods, ethylene was produced during senescence. Cell separation in the DZ took place as in seeded pods, although it was also delayed by 3-4 d. The results are related to changes in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels in oilseed rape pods which decline in PW and DZ tissues during senescence. It is concluded that separation in the cells of the dehiscence zone requires only small amounts of ethylene to trigger the process when IAA levels are low.