induced a series of changes in basal leaves of dark-held plants including rapid loss of chlorophyll, proteolysis, increased lipid peroxidation and loss of catalase activity. Both light and GA4+7 treatments prevented these changes. Total soluble carbohydrates decreased gradually during 4°C dark storage and after transferring to 22°C. GA4+7 treatments did not prevent the decline in carbohydrate levels at 4°C, but prevented it upon transferring to 22°C. Supplemental light during 4°C storage significantly increased soluble carbohydrate concentration. The abrupt increases in metabolic activities by shifting from 4 to 22°C accompanied by oxidative stress in leaves already depleted in reserves during 4°C storage seem to induce leaf senescence in dark-held plants.