Effect of day and night temperature on internode and stem length in chrysanthemum: Is everything explained by DIF?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2002

Authors

Carvalho, SMP (Author) Other; Heuvelink, E (Author) Other; Cascais, R (Author) Other; Van Kooten, O (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Annals of Botany

Vol. 90

Pages: 111-118

ISSN: 0305-7364

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 51 Citations

Scopus - 62 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00A-CT8

DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcf154

Abstract (EN): In many plant species, including chrysanthemum, a strong positive correlation between internode length and DIF [difference between day (DT) and night (NT) temperature] has been observed. However, Langton and Cockshull (1997, Scientia Horticulturae 69: 229-237) reported no such relationship and showed that absolute DT and NT explained internode length rather than DIF. To investigate these conflicting results and to clarify the validity of the DIF concept, cut chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum 'Reagan Improved') were grown in growth chambers at all 16 combinations of four DT and four NT (16, 20, 24 and 28degreesC) with a 12 h daylength. Length of internode 10, number of internodes and stem length were measured on days 5, 10, 17, 22 and 27 after starting the temperature treatments. Internode length on day 10 showed a positive linear relationship with DIF (R-2=0.64). However, when internodes had reached their final length in all treatments (day 27), a much stronger positive linear relation was observed (R-2=0.81). A model to predict final internode length was developed based on the absolute DT and NT responses: both responses were optimum curves and no significant interaction between DT and NT occurred [Final internode length (mm) = -32.23 + 3.56DT + 1.08NT - 0.0687DT(2) - 0.0371NT(2); R-2=0.91, where T-D is day temperature and T-N is night temperature]. It is shown that DIF can predict final internode length only within a temperature range where effects of DT and NT are equal in magnitude and opposite in sign (18-24degreesC). Internode appearance rate, as well as stem length formed during the experiment, showed an optimum response to DT. (C) 2002 Annals of Botany Company.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8