Growth control by phytochrome of de-etiolated bean hypocotyls mediated by chlorophyll fluorescence

The elongation of hypocotyls excised from de-etiolated seedlings of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. British Wax) is inhibited by light, blue and red irradiations being equally effective. Conditions which decrease chlorophyll fluorescence, such as CO₂-free air, abolish the inhibitory effect of blue irradiation and enhance the inhibition by red light. Conversely, conditions which increase chlorophyll fluorescence, such as a N₂ atmosphere or irradiation through a chlorophyll filter, abolish the inhibitory effect of red light and enhance the inhibition by blue irradiation. The inhibitory effect of blue light is reversible by red irradiation under increased fluorescence as well as by far red. We propose that the chlorophyll fluorescence excited by blue and red irradiations in λ_F > 660 nm and λ_F > 720 nm, respectively, is responsible for the inhibitory effect of blue light and the reduction of the inhibitory effect of non fluorescing red light. Both red and blue wavelengths seem, therefore, to control hypocotyl elongation through phytochrome.     

Phytochrome Pelletability in Barley

Phytochrome pelletability in the 1000 g and 20,000 g pellet from crude homogenates of etiolated Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Ark Royal primary leaves is enhanced by red light in vivo and in vitro. Red enhanced phytochrome pelletability appears different in the 1000 g and 20,000 g pellets after red light in vivo, being irreversible by subsequent far red light in the latter. Mg²⁺ concentration in the range 1–20 mM has no effect on red enhanced phytochrome pelletability. The enhancement of pelletability is reduced by low pH and high 2-mercaptoethanol concentration, conditions which lead to a high level of pelletability of the far red absorbing form of phytochrome. Washing these pellets at high pH or low 2-mercaptoethanol concentration reveals the red enhancement of pelletability. The results are discussed in terms of a possible two point attachment of phytochrome to membranes.