Correlations between Growth and Flowering in Chenopodium amaranticolor

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Abstract
Plants of Chenopodium amaranticolor grown in long photoperiods for 26 days were exposed to 0, 2, 6, or continuous short days (SD) and the resultant changes in leaf and stem growth on return to long days recorded. Growth of the leaves, the main stem, and the axillary branches was initially strongly stimulated by short days. Continued growth of leaves was inhibited by the development of flowers to anthesis; strong inhibition was observed after 6 and continuous SDs, but not in the 2-SD or control groups, neither of which reached anthesis during the investigation. In the groups which flowered strongly, the intensity of inhibition was sufficient to mask completely the effect of the initial stimulation on final leaf and stem size. In the 2-SD group, however, lack of inhibition allowed full expression of the effects of stimulation on the final leaf and stem dimensions. The system of stimulators and inhibitors controlling leaf growth probably also brings about the changes in leaf shape associated with the onset of flowering. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings and it is suggested that similar stimulations of growth correlated with the induction of flowering might occur widely in both short- and long-day plants.