Abstract
Seeds ofBromus sterilis L. germinated between 80–100% in darkness at 15° C but were inhibited by exposure to white or red light for 8 h per day. Exposure to far-red light resulted in germination similar to, or less than, that of seeds maintained in darkness. Germination is not permanently inhibited by light as seeds attain maximal germination when transferred back to darkness. Germination can be markedly delayed by exposure to a single pulse of red light following 4 h inhibition in darkness. The effect of the red light can be reversed by a single pulse of far-red light indicating that the photoreversible pigment phytochrome is involved in the response. The response ofB. sterilis seeds to light appears to be unique; the far-red-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pfr) actually inhibiting germination.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- Pr:
-
red absorbing form of phytochrome
- Pfr:
-
far-red absorbing form of phytochrome
References
Butler, W.L., Hendricks, S.B., Siegelman, H.W. (1964) Action spectra of phytochrome in vitro. Photochem. Photobiol.3, 521–528
Frankland, B. (1981) Germination in shade. In: Plants and the daylight spectrum, pp. 187–204, Smith, H., ed. Academic Press, London New York
Froud-Williams, R.J. (1981) Germination behaviour ofBromus species andAlopecurus myosuroides. In: Proc. Assoc. Appl. Biol. Conf., Grass weeds in cereals in the United Kingdom, pp. 31–40, Association of Applied Biologists, Warwick
Grime, P.J., Jarvis, B.C. (1975) Shade avoidance and shade tolerance in flowering plants. II. Effects of light on the germination of species of contrasted ecology. In: Light as an ecological factor, pp. 525–532, Bainbridge, R., Evans, G.C., Rackman, O., eds. Blackwell, Oxford
Harper, J.L. (1977) Dormancy. In: Population biology of plants, pp. 61–82, Harper, J.L., ed. Academic Press, London New York
Hartmann, K.M. (1966) A general hypothesis to interpret ‘High Energy Phenomena’ of photomorphogenesis on the basis of phytochrome. Photochem. Photobiol.5, 349–366
Hsiao, A.I., Vidaver, W. (1971) Water content and phytochrome-induced potential germination responses in lettuce seeds. Plant Physiol.47, 186–188
Hulbert, L.C. (1955) Ecological studies ofBromus tectorum and other annual brome grasses. Ecol. Monogr.37, 181–213
Isikawa, S., Fujii, T., Yokohama, Y. (1961) Photoperiodic control of the germination ofEragrostis seeds. Bot. Mag.74, 14–18
Kendrick, R.E. (1976) Photocontrol of seed germination. Sci. Prog. (London)63, 347–367
Pollard, F. (in press) Light induced dormancy inBromus sterilis. J. Appl. Ecol.
Rollin, P., Maignan, G. (1967) Phytochrome and the photoinhibition of germination. Nature (London)214, 741–742
Schulz, O.P., Klein, R.M. (1963) Effects of visible and ultraviolet radiation on the germination ofPhacelia tanacetifolia. Am. J. Bot.50, 430–434
Stoutjesdijk, P.H. (1972) Spectral transmission curves of some types of leaf canopies with a note on seed germination. Acta Bot. Neerl.21, 185–191
Toole, V.K. (1973) Effects of light, temperature and their interactions on the germination of seeds. Seed Sci. Technol.1, 339–396
Toole, V.K., Borthwick, H.A. (1968) The photoreaction controlling seed germination inEragrostis curvula. Plant Cell Physiol.9, 125–136
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hilton, J.R. An unusual effect of the far-red absorbing form of phytochrome: Photoinhibition of seed germination inBromus sterilis L.. Planta 155, 524–528 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01607578
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01607578