Petunia × hybrida during transition to flowering as affected by light intensity and quality treatments

Abstract

Petunia × hybrida was grown under high (H), medium (M) and low (L) light intensity [photoperiod; 16 h d−1, photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD); 360, 120 and 40 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively] as well as under end-of-day (EOD) red (R) and far-red (FR) light quality treatments [photoperiod; 14.5 h d−1, PPFD; 30 μmol m−2 s−1 EOD; 15 min, Control (C) light; without EOD light treatment]. Shoot growth, leaf anatomical and photosynthetic responses as well as the responses of peroxidase (POD) isoforms and their specific activities following transition to flowering (1–6 weeks) were evaluated. Flower bud formation of Petunia × hybrida was achieved at the end of the 4th week for H light treatment and on the end of the 6th week for FR light treatment. No flower bud formation was noticed in the C and R light treatments. H and M light treatments induced lower chlorophyll (Chla, Chlb, Chla+b) concentrations in comparison to L light. On the other hand R and FR light chlorophyll content were similar to C light. Photosynthetic parameters [CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs) values] were higher in the H light treated plants in comparison to M and L light treated plants. A, E and gs values of R and FR light were similar to C light plants. Leaf anatomy revealed that total leaf thickness, thickness of the contained tissues (epidermis, palisade and spongy parenchyma) and relative volume percentages of the leaf histological components were differently affected within the light intensity and the light quality treatments. POD specific activities increased from the 1st to the 6th week during transition to flowering. Native-PAGE analysis revealed the appearance of four anionic POD (A1–A4) isoforms in all light treatments. On the basis of the leaf anatomical, photosynthetic and plant morphological responses, the production of high quality Petunia × hybrida plants with optimal flowering times could be achieved through the control of both light intensity and light quality. The appearance of A1 and A2 anionic POD isoforms could be also used for successful scheduling under light treatments.