Skip to main content
Log in

Distorted phytochrome action spectra in green plants

  • Published:
Planta Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Red light absorption by photosynthetic pigments screens stem tissue of Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings to such an extent that the most effective wavelength for the phytochrome induction control of stem growth is approximately 628 nm. Screening is greater in the first internode than in the hypocotyl. The consequences are that, compared with etiolated seedlings, much higher irradiances are required for phytochrome control in green plants, and the efficiency of 660 nm light is markedly reduced. Even very high exposures at 660 nm may not achieve appreciable photoconversion of P r to P fr.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

Chl:

chlorophyll

P r and P fr :

red and far-red absorbing forms of phytochrome

References

  • Blaauw, O.H., Blaauw-Jansen, G.: The phototropic responses of Avena coleoptiles. Acta Bot. Neerl. 19, 755–763 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Borthwick, H.A., Hendricks, S.B., Parker, M.W.: Action spectrum for photoperiodic control of floral initiation of a long-day plant, Wintex barley (Hordeum vulgare) Bot Gaz. 110, 103–108 (1948)

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, W.L., Siegelman, H.W., Miller, C.O.: Denaturation of phytochrome. Biochemistry 3, 851–857 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutch, B., Deutch, B.: A kinetic theory of first order cyclical processes—phytochrome controlled red light induced cereal leaf unfolding compared with theory. Physiol Plant. 32, 273–281 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • French, C.S., Young, V.M.K.: The absorption, action and fluorescence spectra of photosynthetic pigments in living cells and in solutions. In: Radiation Biology Vol. 3, pp. 343–391, Hollaender, C.A. ed. New York, McGraw-Hill 1956

    Google Scholar 

  • Grill, R.: The influence of chlorophyll on in vivo difference spectra of phytochrome. Planta 108, 185–202 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grill, R.: Influence of chlorophyll content on phytochrome measurements in turnip cotyledons. Planta 134, 11–16 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holden, M.: Chlorophylls. In: Chemistry and biochemistry of plant pigments 2nd. Ed. 2, 1–37, Goodwin, T.W. ed., London Academic Press 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, M.G., Smith, H.: The function of phytochrome in plants growing in the natural environment. Nature 254, 512–514 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jose, A.M., Vince-Prue, D., Hilton, J.R.: Chlorophyll interference with phytochrome measurement. Planta 135, 119–123 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasperbauer, M.J., Borthwick, H.A., Hendricks, S.B.: Inhibition of flowering of Chenopodium rubrum by prologed far-red rediation. Bot. Gaz. 124, 444–451 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, H.: Untersuchungen zur phytochrominduzierten Photomorphogenese des Senfkeimlings (Sinapis alba L). Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 54, 63–83 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D.C., Smith, H.: Linear relationship between phytochrome photoequilibrium and growth in plants under simulated natural radiation. Nature 262, 210–212 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakayama, S., Borthwick, H.A., Hendricks, S.B.: Failure of photoreversible control of flowering in Pharbitis nil. Bot. Gaz. 121, 237–243 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, M.W., Hendricks, S.B., Borthwick, H.A., Scully, N.J.: Action Spectrum for the photoperiodic control of floral initiation of shortday plants. Bot. Gaz. 108, 1–26 (1946)

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, M.W., Hendricks, S.B., Borthwick, H.A.: Action spectrum for the photoperiodic control of floral initiation of the long day plant Hyoscyamus niger. Bot. Gaz. 111, 242–252 (1950)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piringer, A.A., Heinze, P.H.: Effect of light on the formation of a pigment in the tomato fruit cuticle. Plant Physiol. 29, 467–472 (1954)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rabideau, G.S., French, C.S., Holt, A.S.: The absorption and reflection spectra of leaves, chloroplast suspensions, and chloroplast fractions as measured in an Ulbricht sphere. Amer. J. Bot. 33, 769–777 (1946)

    Google Scholar 

  • Seitz, K.: Irradiance dependent far-red effects upon red induced germination of lettuce seeds. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 71, 49–56 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shropshire, W., Jr.: Action spectroscopy. In: Phytochrome pp. 159–181, Mitrakos, K., Shropshire, W. Jr. eds., London: Academic Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Shropshire, W., Jr., Klein, W.H., Elstad, V.B.: Action spectra of photomorphogenic induction and photoinactivation of germination in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell Physiol. 2, 63–69 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spruit, C.J.P.: Estimation of phytochrome by spectrophotometry in vivo: instrumentation and interpretation. In: Phytochrome pp. 75–104, Mitrakos, K., Shropshire, W., Jr. eds., London: Academic Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Vince-Prue, D.: Photoperiodism in Plants. 102–103, London: McGraw-Hill 1975

    Google Scholar 

  • Virgin, H.I.: Light-induced unfolding of the grass leaf. Physiol. Plant. 15, 380–389 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Withrow, R.B., Klein, W.H., Elstad, V.: Action spectra of photomorphogenic induction and its photoinactivation. Plant Physiol. 32, 453–462 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jose, A.M., Schäfer, E. Distorted phytochrome action spectra in green plants. Planta 138, 25–28 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392909

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392909

Key words

Navigation