Induction of stem elongation on in vitro chicory root explants under unfavourable photoperiodic conditions by gibberellin A3

Flowering stems are formed under long-day conditions on root explants of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) cultured in vitro while under short days, only vegetative growth is observed. Under short-day conditions (12 h), stem elongation is induced by treating newly formed shoot apices with GA₃ (1 l, 10^–3M). No flower buds were formed on the GA₃-induced stems. Long days seem to be indispensable for the induction of flower buds on the elongated stem.