Photocontrol of anthocyanin formation in turnip seedlings

Summary The insertion of a dark period during irradiation with far-red resulted in the occurrence of a second lag-phase in the synthesis of anthocyanin when the seedlings were returned to light. The length of this second lag-phase was similar, to the first. It is suggested that the action of far-red light may not involve gene activation but rather the formation of substrate(s); the lag-phase may arise from ratelimiting steps in the synthesis of anthocyanin pigment.