Influence of spectral quality on the growth response of intact bean plants to brassinosteroid, a growth-promoting steroidal lactone. I. Stem elongation and morphogenesis

The growth response of bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'Pinto') plants treated with 5 μg of brassinosteroid (BR) in the bean second-internode assay was measured in a controlled environment under 3 radiation sources: cool white fluorescent (CWF), far-red (FR) fluorescent and incandescent (INC) lamps. Growth comparisons were made under equal levels (90 μmol s^-1 m^-2) of photosynthetic photon flux density provided by CWF or INC lamps and equal levels of far-red (28 W m^-2, 700–800 nm) radiation provided by the same INC or FR lamps. Treatment of the second internode with BR produced a sequential increase in elongation, curvature, and swelling under normal bioassay conditions (CWF lamps), as observed previously with brassins. In addition, BR induced marked splitting of the treated internode provided that ample photosynthate was available. Spectral quality had a differential effect on internodal elongation. Under CWF lamps, internodes, 6 days after BR-treatment, were 2–3 times longer than those of controls; under INC or FR lamps they were 30–60% shorter than those of controls. In all cases, BR-treatment greatly stimulated accumulation of photosynthate in the treated internode, as indicated by fresh and dry weights and stem diameter measurements. This suggests a possible mobilization role for BR in the intact plant. Brassinosteroid also partially overcame the natural inhibitory effects of CWF radiation on stem elongation.     

Influence of spectral quality on the growth response of intact bean plants to brassinosteroid, a growth-promoting steroidal lactone. II. Chlorophyll content and partitioning of assimilate

The chlorophyll content and partitioning of assimilate of bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L. 'Pinto') plants were determined 6 days after treatment of the second internode (I₂ with 5 μg of brassinosteroid (BR), a growth-promoting steroidal lactone. Plants were grown for 6 days under equal levels (90 μmol s^-1 m^-2) of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by cool white fluorescent (CWF) or incandescent (INC) lamps and equal levels of far-red (28 W m^-2, 700–800 nm) radiation provided by the same INC or far-red (FR) fluorescent lamps. Brassinosteroid treatment had no appreciable effect on total biomass production but caused a decrease of 15–20% dry matter distribution in the upper portion of the shoot, a small (4%) but constant increase in dry matter in l₂ and a large (11–16%) increase in dry matter in the lower portion of the shoot (especially I₁). Treatment with BR increased assimilate accumulation in the primary leaves, especially under INC and FR lamps, and reduced dry matter in the trifoliate leaves. BR also caused a 16–21% reduction in total leaf area and even a greater reduction in area of the trifoliate leaves, but significantly increased specific leaf weight of the primary leaves and the first trifoliate leaf and the amount of dry matter in the lateral shoots under all radiation sources. In comparison to controls, BR treatment increased dry matter accumulation in the treated internode 3.3x under CWF and 1.6x under INC or FR. BR treatment also increased chlorophyll content in the primary leaves under all radiation sources and in the trifoliate leaves under CWF and INC lamps. These findings suggest a possible mobilization role of BR and establish the importance of adequate PPFD (and photosynthate) for maximum swelling and splitting response to brassinosteroid.     

Growth analysis of UV-B-irradiated cucumber seedlings as influenced by photosynthetic photon flux source and cultivar

A growth analysis was made of ultraviolet-B (UV-B)-sensitive (Poinsett) and insensitive (Ashley) cultivars of Cucuumis satives L. grown in growth chambers at 600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) provided by red- and far-red-deficient metal halide (MH) or blue- and UV-A-deficient high pressure sodium/deluxe f HPS/DX) lamps. Plants were irradiated 6 h daiiy with 0.2 f-UV-B) or 18.2 C+UV-B) kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ of biologically effective UV-B for 8 or 15 days from time of seeding. In general, plants given supplemental UV-B for 15 days showed lower leaf area ratio (LARs, and higher specific leaf mass (SLM) mean relative growth rate (MRGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) than that of control plants, but they showed no difference in leaf mass ratio (LMR), Plants grown under HPS/DX lamps vs MH lamps showed higher SLM and NAR. lower LAR and LMR. hut no difference in MRGR. LMR was the only growth parameter affected by cultivar: at 15 days, it was slightly greater in Poinsett than in Ashley. There were no interactive effects of UV-B. PPF source or cultivar on any of the growth parameters determined, indicating that the choice of either HPS/DX or MH lamps should not affect growth response to UV-B radiation. This was true even though leaves of UV-B-irradiated plants grown under HPS/DX lamps have been shown to have greater chlorosis than those grown under MH lamps.     

Interaction of enriched CO2 and water stress on the physiology of and biomass production in sweet potato grown in open-top chambers

Abstract. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of water stress in sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L. [Lam] 'Georgia Jet') on biomass production and plant-water relationships in an enriched CO₂ atmosphere. Plants were grown in pots containing sandy loam soil (Typic Paleudult) at two concentrations of elevated CO₂ and two water regimes in open-top field chambers. During the first 12 d of water stress, leaf xylem potentials were higher in plants grown in a CO₂ concentration of 438 and 666 μmol mol⁻¹ than in plants grown at 364 μmol mol⁻¹. The 364 μmol mol⁻¹ CO₂ grown plants had to be rewatered 2 d earlier than the high CO₂-grown plants in response to water stress. For plants grown under water stress, the yield of storage roots and root: shoot ratio were greater at high CO₂ than at 364 μmol mol⁻¹; the increase, however, was not linear with increasing CO₂ concentrations. In well-watered plants, biomass production and storage root yield increased at elevated CO₂, and these were greater as compared to water-stressed plants grown at the same CO₂ concentration.     

UV-B response of cucumber seedlings grown under metal halide and high pressure sodium/deluxe lamps

UV-B-sensitive (Poinsett) and -insensitive (Ashley) cultivars of cucumber ( Cucumis sativus L.) were grown in growth chambers at 600 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ of photosynthetically active radiation provided by metal halide (MH) or high pressure sodium/deluxe (HPS/DX) lamps. Plants were irradiated 15 days from seeding for 6 h per day under 18. 2 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ of biologically effective UV-B (UV-B_BE) radiation. One of the most pronounced effects of UV-B was a 27 to 78% increase in phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) activity. UV-B also increased total polyamines. Catalase and superoxide dismutase varied greatly in their response to UV-B. There were no interactive effects on PAL or catalase activity, or total polyamines. There was a UV × PAR source interaction for superoxide dismutase activity. UV-B increased chlorosis and decreased height, dry weight and leaf area. Stem elongation, biomass production, leaf enlargement and chlorosis were greater under HPS/DX lamps than under MH lamps. Chlorosis was greater in Poinsett than in Ashley and in lower leaves than in upper ones. Aside from chlorosis, there were no interactive effects of UV-B, PAR source or cultivar on any of the growth parameters measured, suggesting that the growth response of cucumber seedlings to UV-B is unaffected by PAR source or cultivar. Similarly, except for SOD activity, the biochemical response to UV-B was also not influenced by PAR source or cultivar.     

Regulation of phosphate influx in barley roots: Effects of phosphate deprivation and reduction of influx with provision of orthophosphate

Barley plants were grown in nutrient solutions, which were maintained at either 0 (-P) or 15 μ M orthophosphate (+P). After 11 days phosphate influx into the intact roots of the -P plants began to increase by comparison with +P plants. During this period differences became apparent between the treatments in absolute growth rates, as well as in the root:shoot ratios. Phosphate influx in the -P plants continued to increase as a function of time, to a maximum value of 2.4 μmol (g fresh wt)^-1h^-1 at 16 days after germination. This rate was 6 times higher than influx values for +P plants of the same age. During the period of enhanced uptake phosphate was strongly correlated (r²= 0.77) with root organic phosphate concentration. – The enhancement of inorganic phosphate influx into intact roots of -P plants was rapidly reduced by the provision of 15 μ M orthophosphate. Typically, within 4 h of exposure to this concentration of phosphate, influx values fell from 1.80 ± 0.20 to 0.75 ± 0.03 μmol (g fresh wt)^-1 h^-1, while inorganic phosphate concentrations of the roots increased from 0.12 to 1.15 μmol (g fresh wt)^-1 during the same period. Hill plots of the influx data obtained during this period, treating root inorganic phosphate as an inhibitor of influx, gave Hill coefficients close to 2. The rapidity of the reduction of influx associated with increased root inorganic phosphate together with the Hill plot data provide evidence for an allosteric inhibition of influx by internal inorganic phosphate.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence and photoacoustic characteristics in relationship to changes in chlorophyll and Ca2+ content of a Cu-tolerant Silene compacta ecotype under Cu treatment

The effect of Cu toxicity on photosynthetic function, chlorophyll and Ca²⁺ content of Cu-tolerant Silene compacta plants grown in nutrient solution was studied. Since, in plants grown under 8 μ M Cu, the chlorophyll and Ca²⁺ concentration as well as the photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry were increased, compared to the control, the development of an adaptive mechanism of the Cu-tolerant ecotype of S. compacta to 8 μ M Cu is suggested. Increased Cu tolerance of the S. compacta ecotype reflects modulation of the photosynthetic apparatus to optimize photosynthesis. However, exposure of plants to 160 μ M Cu resulted in a marked increase of the fraction of closed PSII centres and decreased quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Φ_PSU) which was accompanied by a significant decline of relative quantum yield for O₂ evolution (A_ox/A_pt). The concentration of chlorophyll and Ca²⁺ in leaves also decreased significantly under 160 μ M Cu treatment. Photochemical quenching (q_p) displayed a reduction as a result of perturbation of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain, while non-photochemical quenching (q_N) increased. High Cu treatment reduced photosynthetic productivity of S. compacta plants which can be attributed, in part, to pertubation of photosynthetic process and photosynthetic pigments as well as to Ca²⁺ loss.     

Soluble and insoluble invertase activity in elongating Tulipa gesneriana flower stalks

Previously 'frozen' Tulipa gesneriana L. bulbs cv. Apeldoorn, were planted and grown at higher temperatures to study the role of invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) in the cold-induced elongation of the flower stalk internodes. After planting, flower stalks were left intact, or, the leaves and flower bud were both removed to inhibit internode elongation. In intact flower stalks, elongation of the internodes was accompanied by an accumulation of glucose and an initial decrease in the sucrose content g,⁻¹ dry weight. Insoluble invertase activity g,⁻¹ dry weight hardly changed, but soluble invertase activity showed a peak pattern, that was related, at least for the greater part, to the changes in the sugar contents. Peak activities of soluble invertase were found during (lower- and uppermost internodes) or around the onset of the rapid phase of internode elongation (middle internodes). Internode elongation and glucose accumulation immediately ceased when the leaves and flower bud were removed. Insoluble invertase activity g,⁻¹ dry weight remained at its initial level (lowermost internode) or increased more towards the upper internodes. Soluble invertase activity did not further increase (uppermost internode) or decreased abruptly to a low level. It is concluded that soluble invertase may be one of the factors contributing to glucose accumulation and internode elongation in the tulip flower stalk.     

Effects of estrone and 17 β-estradiol on vegetative growth of Medicago sativa

Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) plants were grown in the absence or presence of the steroidal estrogens, estrone and 17β-estradiol, under varying conditions. Plants were analysed for the following parameters: plant weight, estrogen content, phytoestrogen content, degree of nodulation and nitrogen fixation activity. It was found that under controlled greenhouse conditions: (1) Treatment with estrogens in the range of 0.005 to 0.5 μg 1⁻¹ increases both shoot and root dry weitht. In contrast, estrogen in concentrations of 50 to 500 μg 1⁻¹ decreases plant growth. (2) The effect of estrogen of growth is most marked in the absence of nitrogen. (3) Estrone is more effective in increasing growth than 17 β-estradiol. (4) In the plants where estrogen induced growth there was no significant increase in nitrogen fixation activity and nodule number. (5) Endogenous estrogen content of the plant did not increase at concentrations (0.005-0.5 μg 1⁻¹) which increased vegetative growth. (6) Endogenous estrogen content of the plant did increase at concentrations of estrogen (50-500 μg 1⁻¹ which inhibited vegetative growth and nodule weight. It can be concluded that estrogen in concentrations found in sewage water (0.3 μg estrogen 1⁻¹) can affect the vegetative growth of alfalfa plants.     

Photoautotrophic growth in suspension culture of cells from the moss, Barbula unguiculata

Chlorophyllous cells in suspension culture from the moss, Barbula unguculata Hedw., grown under photoheterotrophic conditions were transferred to photoautotrophic conditions. The cells started to grow photoautotrophically without selection. Maximum growth was observed under irradiances of more than 5 W m² and in an atmosphere enriched with 1% (v/v) CO₂. Under optimum growth conditions, dry weight and chlorophyll content in the culture had increased 20-fold after 20 days of cell growth. High concentration of chlorophyll [10–20 μg (mg dry weight)⁻¹] and high photosynthetic actively [30–70 μmol O₂ evolved (mg chlorophyll)⁻¹ h⁻¹] were observed throughout the culture period. In sugar-free culture medium, cell growth did not occur in the dark or in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) under light, although cell growth was observed in glucose-containing medium under those conditions. When cells that were grown photoautotrophically for one year were transferred to glucose-containing medium under ordinary air, they started to grow heterotrophically both in the light and in the dark.     

The role of light and CO2 in optimising the conditions for shoot proliferation of Actinidia deliciosa in vitro

Proliferating cultures of Actinidia deliciosa A. Chev., C. F. Liang and A. R. Ferguson cv. Tomuri (♂) were grown under photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) rates ranging from 30 to 250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in order to determine certain physiological parameters in vitro: CO₂ evolution, photosynthesis at three CO₂ atmospheric concentrations (330, 1450 and 4500 μl l⁻¹), fresh and dry matter accumulation and proliferation rate.
A proportional response in dry weight, dry/fresh weight ratios and PPFD was found. The proliferation rate increased up to 120 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ but decreased at higher rates. At the highest PPFD, the CO² released from cultures and accumulated in the vessels reached 200 μl l⁻¹ of; at the lowest rate the CO₂ concentration reached 10500 μl l⁻¹ after 28 days of culture. The photosynthetic rate at 1450 and 4500 μl l⁻¹ of CO₂ was nearly 4 times higher than at the lowest concentration tested.     

Effect of CO2-enrichnient on seedling physiology and growth of two tropical tree species

Seedlings of two tree species from the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica, Ochroma la-gopus Swartz, a fast-growing pioneer species, and Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze, a slower-growing climax species, were grown under enriched atmospheric CO₂ in controlled environment chambers. Carbon dioxide concentrations were maintained at 350 and 675 μl 1⁻¹ under photosynthetic photon flux densities of 500 μol m⁻² s⁻¹ and temperatures of 26°C day and 20°C night. Total biomass of both species increased significantly in the elevated CO₂ treatment; the increase in biomass was greatest for the pioneer species, O. lagopus . Both species had greater leaf areas and specific leaf weights with increased atmospheric CO₂. However, the ratio of non-pho-tosynthetic tissue to leaf area also increased in both species leading to decreased leaf area ratios. Plants of both species grown at 675 μl 1⁻¹ CO₂ had lower chlorophyll contents and photosynthesis on a leaf area basis than those grown at 350 μl 1⁻¹. Reductions in net photosynthesis occurred despite increased internal CO₂ concentrations in the CO₂-enriched treatment. Stomatal conductances of both species decreased with CO₂-enrichment resulting in significant increases in water use efficiency.     

Growth and development of Pinus radiata D. Don: the effect of light quality

Abstract. Plants of Pinus radiata of two physiological ages, juvenile (seedlings and micropropagated plantlets) and adult (rooted cuttings from mature trees), were grown under lighting fromthree combinations of metal halide (MH) and tungsten halogen (TH) lamps for up to 10 months in controlled environment rooms. The three lamp combinations, MH alone, 50: 50 MH: TH and 25:75 MH: TH by wattage, produced red: farred ratios of 4.59, 1.51, and 1.15, respectively. Photosynthetic photon flux density was 700 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. An increase in proportion of TH lamps markedly increased shoot elongation and internode length, decreased numbers of fascicles per unit stem length and increased the proportion of stem weight in both juvenile and adult material. In addition, in adult material, it increased the number of fascicle initials and expanded fascicles per growth flush, reduced the duration of the 'rest' phase between growth flushes, accelerated the rate of elongation growth during each flush, and increased apical dominance. Tracheid length, but not diameter or wall thickness, was significantly affected by light quality and found to be associated with longer internodes. Any treatment effects on needle weight or length, stem diameter or root weight were non-significant or very small. Different clones from either the juvenile micro-propagated material or the mature rooted cuttings each showed similar patterns of response, although they often differed in the degree of response to light quality. The main response could be related solely to the red: far-red ratio and the calculated phytochrome photoequilibrium. This is the first report of phytochrome-controlled photomorphogenesis in older specimens of a woody perennial. Recommendations for artificial light sources for growing P. radiata and some ecological implications of the results are presented.     

Influence of irradiance on in vitro growth and proliferation of Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush blueberry) and subsequent rooting in vivo

The effects of light on in vitro proliferation and subsequent in vivo rooting and acclimatisation of Vaccinium corymbosum were investigated. The shoots were exposed in vitro to different irradiances (total radiation ranging from 55 to 240 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 7 to 60 days. In vitro growth and proliferation and the possible consequences on in vivo rooting were observed.
As compared to the control treatment (55 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), higher irradiances improved proliferation and rooting ratios only with short applications (7 days). Short but high (210 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) exposures applied at the end of the proliferation phase increased in vivo growth and rooting of the shoots. The shoots treated with strong light for longer times (14 and 28 days) showed both inhibition of growth and red colour of leaves and sprouts, and were less vigorous when transferred in vivo.     

Interaction between a copper-tolerant and a copper-sensitive population of Silene cucubalus

Interactions between copper-tolerant and copper-sensitive plants of Silene cucubalus (L.) Wib. were absent when grown in mixed culture in a nutrient solution with a normal Cu²⁺ concentration (0.5 μ M ). When grown in mixed culture in a nutrient solution with 40.5 μ M CuSO₄, however, the biomass production of the sensitive plants was less affected than when grown in monoculture. At 40.5 μ M Cu²⁺, in the presence of tolerant plants, the concentration of copper in both roots and shoots of sensitive plants was significantly diminished in comparison to a monoculture without tolerant plants. At the same time the copper concentration in the roots of the tolerant plants was higher in the presence of sensitive plants. The possibility of external detoxification of the copper by tolerant plants as a mechanism of heavy metal resistance is discussed.     

Effects of aluminium on growth and kinetics of K+(86Rb) uptake in two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with different sensitivity to aluminium

Two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cvs Kadett and WW 20299) were grown for 9 days with 20% relative increase in nutrient supply per day at pH 4.1. Aluminium at 50 μ M retarded the growth of roots more than that of shoots in both cultivars, thus decreasing the root/shoot ratio. The inhibition was largest in WW 20299. With long term Al treatment (9 days), K_m for K⁺(⁸⁶Rb) influx increased five times in both cultivars and V_max decreased in WW 20299. Efflux of K⁺(⁸⁶Rb) was little affected. When the roots were treated with aluminium for two days, only relative growth rate of roots was retarded, while growth of shoots was unaffected and influx of K⁺(⁸⁶Rb) adjusted to the actual K⁺ demand of the plants. It is concluded that the effects of aluminium on K⁺ uptake in these wheat cultivars are not primary factors contributing to aluminium sensitivity. However, in soil with Al the demand for a comparatively high concentration of K⁺ to maintain an adequate K⁺ uptake rate, in combination with a slow growth rate of the roots, may secondarily lead to K⁺ deficiency in the plants.     

A relationship between irradiation, carbohydrates and rooting in cuttings of Pisum sativum

Rooting ability was studied for cuttings derived from pea plants ( Pisum sativum , L. cv. Alaska) grown in controlled environment rooms. When the cuttings were rooted at 70 μmol m⁻² s⁻, ¹ (photosynthetic photon flux density) or more, a stock plant irradiance at 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ decreased rooting ability in cuttings compared to 5 μmol m⁻², s⁻¹, However, cuttings rooted at 160 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ formed more roots compared to 5 (μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. Although a high irradiance increased the number of roots formed, it could not overcome a decreased potential for root formation in stock plants grown at high irradiance. Light compensation point and dark respiration of cuttings decreased by 70% during the rooting period, and the final levels were strongly influenced by the irradiance to the cuttings. Respiratory O₂ uptake decreased in the apex and the base of the cutting from day 2 onwards, whereas a constant level was found in the leaves. Only the content of extractable fructose, glucose, sucrose and starch varied during the early part of the rooting period. We conclude that the observed changes in the cuttings are initiated by excision of the root system, and are not involved in the initiation of adventitious roots.     

Influence of UV-B radiation on developmental changes, ethylene, CO2 flux and polyamines in cv. Doyenne d'Hiver pear shoots grown in vitro

In vitro shoots of cv. Doyenne ďHiver pear ( Pyrus communis L.) were irradiated under controlled environments for 6 h per day at 5 different levels of biologically effective UV-B radiation (UV-B_BE). UV-B exposure caused a progressive increase in apical necrosis above background levels and stimulated leaf abscission. Shoots grown for 2 weeks at 7. 8 mol m⁻² day ⁻¹ of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and treated with 8. 4 or 12. 0 kJ m⁻² day ⁻¹ UV-B_BE produced up to 4 times more ethylene than those given 2. 2 or 5. 1 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ UV-B_BE or untreated controls. Exposure of shoots to 12 kJ m⁻² day ⁻¹ of UV-B_BE caused an increase in free putreseine content after 4 to 14 days of irradiation. Shoots showed a decrease in CO₂ uptake after 3 days of UV-B: thereafter, they appeared to recover their photosynthetic capacity. Under typical PPF conditions used in micropropagation (90 μmol m⁻² S⁻¹). 8. 4 kJ m⁻² day ⁻¹ of UV-B radiation was injurious to realatively tender tissues of in vitro pear shoots: increasing the level of UV-B_BE to 12 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹ produced even more adverse effects.     

Changes in pigment levels, Rubisco and respiratory enzyme activity of Ficus benjamina during acclimation to low irradiance

The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of reduced irradiance on the activities of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) and respiratory enzymes. Rooted cuttings of the tropical epiphyte. Ficus benjamina L., were grown in a shaded environment that excluded approximately 50% of the natural photosynthetically active irradiance (890 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) for 4 months. Established plants were transferred and grown for 10 months under a range of irradiance levels with daily average maxima varying from a full-sun environment to 20% full sun (100%−1735; 50%−890; 40%−695; and 20%−303 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹). Chlorophyll, carotenoid and soluble protein content increased in Ficus leaves as irradiance level decreased, while Rubisco increased on a fresh weight basis but decreased on a protein basis. Glycolytic enzymes, enolase and pyruvate kinase, showed higher activities in full-sun plants on a protein and fresh weight basis. However, the activity of two mitochondrial enzymes, aconitase and malate dehydrogenase, was not different under the various irradiance levels. When transferred to a very low irradiance environment (18 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), mature leaves exhibited increased chlorophyll and carotenoid levels regardless of previous irradiance treatment. Exposure to very low irradiance resulted in a large increase in enolase and pyruvate kinase activities. Only plants grown under full sun conditions showed a decline in Rubisco activity following growth at very low irradiance. Together, these studies demonstrate the ability of mature leaves of Ficus to biochemically adjust photosynthetic and respiratory components over a wide range of irradiance.     

Induction of leaf senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana by long days through a light-dosage effect

Given the influence of photoperiod on reproductive development and whole-plant senescence in monocarpic plants, one would suspect that leaf senescence in these plants might be under photoperiodic control. In Arabidopsis thaliana , which is monocarpic and also a nonobligate long-day (LD) plant, LDs (16 h, 300 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) caused leaves to die earlier than did short days (SDs, 10 h). Since leaf longevity was not paralleled by the reproductive development in the present study, the reproductive structures did not seem to be the primary controls of leaf senescence. The LD effect appeared to depend on the amount of light rather than on day length, for leaves given LDs at reduced light intensity (180 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) lived longer than those in LDs with full light. In addition, the higher light intensity promoted chlorophyll loss and anthocyanin accumulation in LDs. Thus, senescence of these leaves seems to be governed by light dosage rather than photoperiod. Light may play a natural role in promoting the senescence of A. thaliana leaves.