Abstract
We present the potential involvement of Mg2+ in the flowering mechanism in the shoot apex of the short-day plant Pharbitis nil (L.). To analyze elemental distribution in shoot apical meristems, fluorescence staining methods with Mag-fluo-4 AM and Fluo-3 AM were used. The former is sensitive to both Mg2+ and Ca2+, and the latter is a specific Ca2+ indicator. When plants were grown under continuous light conditions, some cells with intensive fluorescence of Mg2+ appeared in the top layers of the shoot apical meristem. During growth in the vegetative phase, cells in the center of the top layers accumulated large amounts of Mg2+. Exposure to a single 16 h short-day treatment induced the flowering process and dramatically reduced the fluorescence associated with Mg2+ accumulation in the top layers, suggesting that Mg2+ contributes to the flower induction process. The fluorescence associated with Ca2+ did not show this distribution difference between growth phases. A night-break treatment also influenced the fluorescence pattern. It was suggested for the first time that Mg2+ plays an important role in flower induction.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.