The transition from vegetative to reproductive growth is a key event during plant development. In many species, the timing of this change depends on the length and spectral quality of the photoperiod. Extensive research supports the notion that the site of fight perception in the leaf and the site of flower initiation in the apex are linked by the action of mobile, hormone-like substances. Physiological characterization of flowering mutants in the garden pea has identified two distinct mobile regulators of flowering produced in the leafy shoot - a floral stimulus and an inhibitor. The stimulus is specific to the flowering process and is thought to be constitutively produced. In contrast, the inhibitor affects both reproductive and vegetative growth and is strongly regulated. Photoperiod sensitivity is mainly conferred by a phytochrome A-mediated reduction in inhibitor level.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Biological Sciences
Research Group:	Plant biology
Research Field:	Plant physiology
Objective Division:	Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:	Expanding knowledge
Objective Field:	Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences
UTAS Author:	Weller, JL (Associate Professor Jim Weller)
UTAS Author:	Reid, JB (Professor Jim Reid)
UTAS Author:	Taylor, SA (Mr Scott Taylor)
UTAS Author:	Murfet, IC (Professor Ian Murfet)
ID Code:	10468
Year Published:	1997
Web of Science® Times Cited:	88
Deposited By:	Plant Science
Deposited On:	1997-08-01
Last Modified:	2010-11-08
Downloads:	0