Correlation between Biosynthesis of Chlorogenic Acid and Flowering in Asparagus Seedlings Induced by Carbamate Compounds

The flowering of Asparagus seedlings induced by carbamate compoundswe had developed was triggered when the chemicals were appliedin such a way that they were active during the period of shootdifferentiation, i.e., 4 to 10 days after seeding. The rateof flowering was closely correlated to the decrease in the chlorogenicacid content of the bud primordium caused by the carbamate treatment.Cytokinins stimulated metabolism in the buds and decreased theinhibitory effect of the carbamates on it. The site of actionof the chemicals appears to be somewhere on the metabolic pathwaythat leads to the synthesis of chlorogenic acid. (Received August 2, 1990; Accepted February 14, 1991)