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- Author or Editor: Margaret McMahon x
Description of the light environment used in photomorphogenic research varies greatly among research teams. The environment is often described as the ratio of red (R) to far-red (FR) light, particulary when involvement of the phytochrome system is suspected. There is disagreement in the appropriate center and range of values for each ratio component. Often the center for R is reported as 660 nm. However, in chlorophyll-containing tissue 645 nm may be more appropriate because of the absorption of chlorophyll at 660. Band widths around a selected peak also vary. The widths generally are 10 or 100 nm. Comparison of experiments that describe different peaks or ranges is difficult. Much of the variation in description results from the behavior of phytochrome. Phytochrome has absorption and action spectral peaks, however wavelengths that cause absorption and/or action to a lesser extent may extend more than 50 nm from the peak. Integration formulas such as Pfr/P consider the effects of all wavelengths. However, even the integration formulas do not explain all photomorphogenic responses. A description of the entire photomorphogenic spectrum may be the most appropriate means of communication.
The response of `Bright Golden Anne' and `Spears' chrysanthemum plants to EOD-R or FR light was evaluated to determine the involvement of phytochrome in regulation of plant morphology under CuSO4 filters. Light transmitted through the CuSO4 filter significantly reduced height, internode length and stem dry weight of `BGA' and `Spears' chrysanthemum plants. However, the degree of response varied with the cultivar. Exposure to EOD-FR reversed the reduction of plant height, internode length and the stem dry weight caused by the light transmitted through CuSO4 filters to a level comparable with control plants. Exposure to EOD-FR did not significantly alter height and stem dry weight under control filter Exposure to EOD-R light reduced the height and stem dry weight of `BGA' plants grown under control filter but EOD-R had no effect under CuSO4 filters. In `Spears' plants, EOD-R caused stem dry weight reduction under control filters, but did not reduce stem or internode elongation. The results suggest phytochrome may be involved in controlling plant response under CuSO4 filters. However, there are evidence to indicate that an additional mechanism may be acting on stem/internode elongation.
Leaves of chilled `Moss-Agate' Episcia (Mart.) plants exhibited direct chilling injury (i.e., watersoaked browning of leaf blade interveinal areas within 24 h of exposure to low temperature) immediately following exposure in darkness to 10C for 0.5 or 1.0 h. Chlorophyll fluorescence peak: initial ratios and terminal: peak ratios of chilled Episcia were -reduced 20% and 25%, respectively, 3 h after chilling, a result suggesting possible photosystem II damage. Total leaf chlorophyll content was reduced by 17% within 3 h of chilling and CO2uptake also was reduced at this time. Leaves of chilled `Rudolph Roehrs' Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) (D. Roehrsii Hort.) plants expressed no visible injury within 24 h of 1.2C chilling in darkness for 36,48, or 60 h, but CO2uptake was reduced by 70% compared to the control 3 h after chilling. Visible injury began to appear 27 h after chilling, and the older leaf blades of all chilled plants exhibited a watersoaked appearance 75 h after chilling. Chlorophyll fluorescence peak: initial ratios of chilled Dieffenbachia did not vary, and terminal: peak ratios were not reduced until 147 h after chilling, when the injured tissue was extremely flaccid and translucent. Chilling reduced the chlorophyll content of Dieffenbachia by 10% in some plants 27 h after chilling and by 35%. in all plants 75 h after chilling. Transpiration rate was reduced and stomata] diffusive resistance increased 27 h after chilling.
Similarities exist between the effects of phytochrome and cytokinins on plant growth and development (e.g., chloroplast development, amaranthin synthesis. seed germination, photomorphogenesis). It is unclear, however, if and how these two systems interact.
As a beginning step to determine cytokinin-phytochrome interactions, we developed a strategy utilizing ipt -transgenic tobacco in phytochrome/light treatment investigations. The sour-cc of the ipt gene was Agrobacterium tumefaciens Ti plasmid 15955. This gene encodes for isopentenyl transferase which is an enzyme active in cytokinin biosynthesis.
Ipt -transgenic tobacco cultures (grown on MS medium supplemented with kanamycin but no plant growth regulators) were treated with end-of-day red or far-red light for 15 minutes. After 30 days of treatment, the plant tissue was harvested and either homogenized for SDS-PAGE or fixed for transmission electron microscopic analysis.
Results from immuno-gold labelling using polyclonal antibodies specific to iptase will he used to Indicate the influence of phytochrome on cytokinin activity. Also, structural changes at the ultra-cellular level will be determined.
Experiments were conducted to correlate the response of chrysanthemum [Dendrathema ×grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura] plants to light environment based on various quantitative light quality parameters by growing plants under 6% or 40% CuSO4 and water spectral filters. Using a narrow band width (R = 655-665 and FR = 725-735 nm) or a broad band width (R = 600-700 and FR = 700-800 nm) for R: FR ratio calculation, 6% CuSO4 filter transmitted light with a higher R: FR ratio than 40% CuSO4 or water filters. Light transmitted through 40% CuSO4 and water filters had similar narrow band R: FR ratios (≈1.2), but the broad band R: FR ratio (2.0) of 40% CuSO4 filter was higher than that of water filters. The estimated phytochrome photoequilibrium (ϕ) value varied considerably with the photochemical properties of phytochrome used for estimations. Final height and internode length of plants grown in 6% or 40% CuSO4 chambers was ≈30% less than of plants in corresponding control chambers. Leaf and stem dry weights were reduced by light transmitted through CuSO4 filters. The results suggest that broad band R: FR ratio correlated more closely to above plant responses than the narrow band R: FR ratio. Blue (B): R and B: FR ratios (not absolute amount of blue wavelengths) correlated well with plant response, suggesting that involvement of blue light should not be ignored in expressing plant response to light transmitted through CuSO4 filters. At present, the presentation of complete spectral data would be the most useful in explaining plant response to light environment.
The interest in using nonchemical alternatives for growth control of horticultural crops has recently increased due to public concerns for food safety and environmental pollution. Several research teams around the world are investigating alternative growth control measures, such as genetic manipulation, temperature, water and nutrient management, mechanical conditioning, and light quality manipulation. This review discusses the recent developments in light quality manipulation as a nonchemical alternative for greenhouse plant height control.
Commercially available polyethylene mulches were evaluated for their influence on spectral properties (absorption, reflection, and transmission) and soil temperature during the growing season. Vegetative growth and yield of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Keystone Resistant Giant No. 3) plants were evaluated for each mulch. Black plastic had the greatest absorption (95%) of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF; 400-700 nm). White plastic had the greatest reflection (6575%) of PPF and blue (400-500 nm) light. The Alor selective mulch had the greatest reflective far-red/red ratio (730-740/640-650 nm) of light. Clear plastic had the greatest transmission (90%) of PPF and blue light. Soil temperature was coolest under the white mulch (32 C) and warmest under the clear mulch (52 C) when measured at maximum soil temperature in the early afternoon (1400 to 1800 hrs). Vegetative growth and yield were greatest for plants grown on the white mulch treatment and lowest for plants grown on the clear mulch treatment.
Currently, in the United States, the greenhouse industry covers more than 15,000 acres and is supported by a diverse number of firms with employee expertise that includes greenhouse manufacturing, engineering, irrigation, horticulture, IPM, sales, marketing, and business management. The growing greenhouse industry continues to be in need of highly trained undergraduates that have mastered an amalgam of scientific and business concepts necessary to be competitive in today's agricultural marketplace. Using a multidisciplinary approach we are creating a multimedia instrument for utilization in a variety of greenhouse related courses. This instrument ultimately will be available on the web for anyone to access. To ensure that our vision matches need, we have reviewed the courses offered throughout the United States at 1862, 1890, and 1994 land grant institutions. Course information collected includes; college, Dept., title, level, description, website (if available) and instructor e-mail (if available). Interestingly, there are at least 84 courses offering some aspect of greenhouse science in the U.S. Most are offered in Colleges of Agriculture or Engineering, but are housed in 17 diverse Dept.s. Examples include Dept.s of Horticulture; Agronomy and Horticulture; Agricultural Biosystems and Engineering; Plant, Soil, and Entomological Science; and Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape & Parks. This information will be utilized to focus the instructional design phase of the multimedia instrument, to contact current course instructors for feedback, and to frame future development of the resource.