A RHYTHM IN THE FLOWERING RESPONSE OF PHOTOPERIODICALLY-INDUCED PHARBITIS-NIL TO AGENTS AFFECTING CYTOSOLIC CALCIUM AND PH

Previous work with modulators of Ca2+ and pH has indicated that elevated levels of cytoplasmic Ca2+ and pH are required during the first 4-5 h of the dark period for successful floral induction in Pharbitis nil Chois cv. Violet. In the present study we further examined the effect of modulators of Ca2+ and pH by supplying them at various times prior to the inductive dark period. Peaks of inhibition by the Ca2+ chelator, EGTA, were observed in seedlings treated 8, 18 and 34 h before the start of the dark period. When seedlings of slightly different ages (within one diurnal cycle) were treated with EGTA, maximum inhibition was always obtained in plants treated 8 h before the start of the dark period. Peaks of inhibition by the acidifying agents, salicylic acid and Na-propionate, were observed at -2 to -6 h and at -10 to -14 h. Treatment with the alkalizing agent, trisodium citrate, enhanced the flowering response with maximum enhancement at -6 to -8 h and at -18 to -20 h. We hypothesize that treatment with modulators starts an oscillation in endogenous levels of Ca2+ and pH. The levels of Ca2+ and pH prevailing at the commencement of the inductive dark period will influence the ability of the plant to perceive or to respond to the photoperiodic induction.