Leaf growth of white mustard (Sinapis alba) in different environments

Summary The numbers of cells and area of fully expanded leaves were determined on successive leaves of Sinapis alba grown either in 8 hr. photoperiod (vegetative plants) or 16 hr. photoperiod (flowering plants) at a constant temperature of 20°C. In the 8 hr. photoperiod leaf 9 had the greatest area but leaf 12 had most cells. In 16 hr. photperiod leaf 5 had the greatest area but leaf 9 had most cells. The relationship between area and cell number of successive leaves on the main stem fell into 3 distinct phases: in phase (1), cell number increased at a greater rate than leaf area; in phase (2), leaf area decreased while cell number increased; in phase (3), cell number and leaf area decreased proportionally. For an increase in unit area, cell number increased more in 8 hr. than in 16 hr. photoperiod.Using final area and final cell number of successive leaves, by extrapolation the cell number of unit area of primordium has been deduced. Cell number per unit area increased in successive primordia up to a certain node after which it remained constant at succeeding nodes. It was found that in plants grown under different conditions the cell number per unit area in successive primordia increased at a constant logarithmic rate. That is, cells became progressively smaller. It is concluded that changes in cell size of successive primordia are not influenced by the environment but are under internal control.