In Vitro Studies of Floral Induction on Stem Apices of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. —A Short-day Plant

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Abstract
Stem tips of Cuscuta reflexa, cultured on modified White's medium, were subjected to different light and dark conditions. The cultures flowered when maintained either in continuous darkness or exposed to 14 hours of daily dark period. Thus Cuscuta reflexa behaves as a typically short-day plant. The presence of 5 per cent. sucrose in the medium completely obviates the requirement for high-intensity light exposures, otherwise essential for SDP. It appears that the bud itself is sensitive to photoinduction. In spite of the presence of natural tissue-bridge between the host and the parasite, provided by the haustorial connexions, there is no transportation of flower-forming substance from one plant to another. The flowering periods of host and parasite are independent of each other.