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Novel effects of phytochrome status on reproductive shoot growth in Triticum aestivum L.
Author(s) -
CASAL JORGE J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1993.tb04530.x
Subject(s) - phytochrome , biology , peduncle (anatomy) , photoperiodism , shoot , darkness , botany , horticulture , main stem , crop , agronomy , red light
SUMMARY The effects of supplementary far‐red light (FR), provided either (bring or at the end of the photoperiod, on reproductive shoot growth were investigated in Triticum aestivam L. plants grown under natural radiation. Natural photoperiods were inductive per se and supplementary FR had no obvious effects on the date of floral initation, as indicated by the lack of differences in both the final number of leaves and the rate of leaf appearance. The first internode to elongate was longer, and the first visible node appeared earlier in FR‐treated plants. However, the rate of extension growth of the peduncle (i.e. the uppermost internode, that bears the ear) was temporarily delayed by FR. Therefore, the period between the appearance of the first visible node and ear emergence was extended by FR. Neither the final length of the flag‐leaf sheath nor the final length of the stem were significantly affected by the treatments. The responses to FR provided during twilight were fully reversed by red light, indicating the involvement of phytochrome. The potential significance of stem‐growth responses mediated by phytochrome for wheat crop performance is discussed.