Inhibition of growth and synchronised cell division in the shoot apex in relation to flowering in Silene

• Published in: Planta Vol. 161; no. 4; pp. 289 - 294
• Main Authors: Grose, Susan, Lyndon, R.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer-Verlag 01-06-1984; Springer
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Calyx; Cell cycle; Cell division; Cell growth; Evocation; Flowering; Flowers; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Germination and dormancy; Mitotic index; Plant growth; Plant physiology and development; Plants; Mitosis; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Cell division; Flowering; Spermatophyta; Silene; Caryophyllaceae
• ISSN: 0032-0935; 1432-2048
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00398717

When plants of Silene coeli-rosa (L.) Godron were induced by seven long days, then exposed to darkness for 48 h before being returned to short days, they went on to initiate flowers with a delay of about 2 d. The synchronisation of cell division which normally occurs before flower initiation was suppressed, showing that it is not essential for flowering. Periods of darkness of up to 240 h inhibited apical growth and leaf initiation but did not prevent eventual flowering in short days. The commitment of the apex to flower was therefore maintained while apical growth was inhibited.