Impairment of Chloroplast Development and Sink Strength by Blockade of Light in Chloroembryos of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub

Abstract

In many members of Fabaceae synthesis of chloroplast pigments takes place even when the embryo is deep inside the fruit. Blockade of light totally etiolated the embryos of developing Cyamopsis fruits upto 16–18 days after anthesis (DAA), whereas the pigments of the mature embryos, when shaded, were not significantly affected. Upon illumination, resynthesis of green pigments by etiolated embryos occurred both in vivo and in vitro more significantly during the early stages of growth of the embryos (upto 18 DAA). Shading of developing fruits at different growth stages of embryos, reduced the growth of sink. The results are discussed in relation to the importance of light on embryo greening and dry matter production.