Abstract:Radish (Raphanus sativus) cotyledons were used as experimental material for investigating effects of the leaf senescence by 4PU [N-phenyl-N‘-(4-pyridyl) urea]. 4PU treatment could retard the senescence of detached cotyledons. The contents of chlorophyll and protein in detached cotyledons treated with 4PU decreased slower than those of the control (in H20). The best concentration of 4PU was 10-1 mg/L.