INFLUENCE OF LIGHT-INTENSITY ON GROWTH OF TRIAZINE-RESISTANT RAPESEED (BRASSICA-NAPUS)

Growth and biomass allocation of nearly isonuclear lines of triazine-resistant and susceptible rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) were compared. Resistant and susceptible lines produced by reciprocal crossing were grown in a greenhouse and in growth chambers under high and low photon flux densities (PFD). Thirty to forty per cent greater average dry weight accumulation was observed in susceptible lines grown under high PFD. Higher leaf area ratio, lower root-shoot.ratio and lower specific leaf weight were observed in resistant lines grown in high PFD. These morphological modifications are consistent with a mechanism of compensation of lower photosynthetic performance. Little difference in dry weight and biomass allocation was seen in resistant and susceptible plants grown under low PFD. The similarity in growth response observed in susceptible and resistant plants grown under low PFD indicates the inefficient photochemistry in resistant plants does not necessarily result in lower productivity.