ON THE LIGHT CONTROLLING FLOWER INITIATION OF SILENE ARMERIA

Silene armeria was cultured on a medium containing 5% sucrose,and subjected to various light conditions. 1. Plants subjected to continuous illumination of far-red radiantenergy exclusive of other spectral regions initiated flowerbuds most readily. Far-red light mixed with other spectral regionswas less effective in promoting flowering than far-red lightalone. 2. The plants subjected to short photoperiods initiated no flowerbuds irrespective of the quality of light in the light period. 3. Red light was more effective in promoting flowering thandaylight fluorescent light but was less effective than the far-redlight. (Received October 8, 1960; )