Inflorescence Initiation in Lolium Temulentum L. III. The Effect of Anaerobic Conditions During Photoperiodic Induction

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Abstract
The aim of the experiments reported here was to find some condition other than light which could selectively control the operation of the inhibitory and promotive photoperiodic processes in the long-day plant L. temulentum, and hence allow a resolution of the photoperiod requirements of these processes. Whole plants held continuously in aerobic short days showed no infloresence initiation, whereas about 2/3 of those held in N for 1 long night subsequently initiated inflorescences. Anaerobic conditions did not affect the ability of leaves in long days to stimulate inflorescence initiation. Leaves held in air throughout a 16-hour dark period had an inhibitory effect on inflorescence initiation and development, but those held in N throughout the dark period did not. It is concluded that the promotive process occurring in the leaves of L. temulentum is unaffected by anaerobic conditions and accelerated by long days, while the inhibitory process in short-day leaves apparently cannot occur in the absence of oxygen.