Localization of the Site of Perception of Thermoinductive Temperatures in Thlaspi arvense L

This paper describes attempts to localize the site of perception of low temperatures (0-10 degrees C) during thermoinduction in Thlaspi arvense L. Reproductive development (stem elongation and flower formation) was observed when shoots were cooled to 4 degrees C for 4 weeks and then returned to 21 degrees C while maintaining the roots constant 21 degrees C. However, chilling the roots was ineffective for initiating reproductive development. The apparent site of perception of thermoinductive temperatures was further localized to the shoot tip (apex and immature leaves) by controlling the temperature of the shoot tip independently of the rest of the plant. Furthermore, excised apices regenerated flowering plants in organ culture only if they were subjected to a 4 week cold treatment. Grafting experiments also support the notion that the shoot tip or the apex is the site of perception of thermoinductive temperatures: noninduced shoot tips grafted onto bolting donors remained as vegetative rosettes. Paradoxically, it was found that the cells of the shoot tip are not the only ones capable of being thermoinduced. Shoots regenerated from leaf cuttings excised from thermoinduced plants exhibited all signs of reproductive development, while regenerated shoots from control leaves developed into vegetative rosettes. It is suggested that many cell types are capable of being thermoinduced and that the shoot tip may appear to be the site of perception of thermoinductive temperatures because structures associated with reproductive development originate from this tissue.