Phénolamides et induction florale de Cichorium intybus dans différentes conditions de culture en serre ou in vitro

Phenolamides and floral induction of Cichorium intybus in different conditions of culture in glass-room or in vitro. Three complexes between phenols and amines (phenolamides) have been found in Cichorium intybus L., a plant with an absolute requirement of vernalisation followed by long days for flowering. Upon hydrolysis, these complexes (A, B and C) liberate aromatic amines whose exact identification is in progress, but which are closely related to dopamine, tyramine and serotonin, respectively. In a first series of experiments, phenolamides were studied in the buds of plants grown in the greenhouse under varying conditions. Only buds from plants which flower in long days contained large amounts of these compounds. Much smaller amounts were found in buds at the end of vernalisation (at 2–4°C) before long-day treatment as well as in buds kept in the vegetative state after vernalisation by being grown in short days (8 h light) or in total darkness. In a second series of experiments, phenolamides were studied in bud-forming calli induced in vitro on explants of tuberised root. After sixteen days of culture in continuous light, large quantities of phenolamide were found in the buds and calli of the upper part of the explant, while the lower part which never produces buds contained much less. Buds formed under continuous light produce inflorescences in approximately one month. Various other culture conditions make it possible to maintain the explants in the vegetative state. This can be obtained by short-day conditions, or otherwise under continuous illumination by decreasing the sugar or increasing the NAA levels in the medium. After 13 days of culture, the phenolamide levels were much lower under all of these conditions, than under conditions favourable to floral induction. Compound C is absent or present in trace amounts in vegetative buds. The significance of the differences observed between floral and vegetative buds is supported by the sensitivity of the analytical techniques used. The accumulation of phenolamides in tissues of Cichorium intybus appears to be closely linked to floral induction. Under continuous light it begins very early in young buds and even in the calli that bear these buds.