Phytochrome control of the lag phase of chlorophyll accumulation in Lemna minor

Abstract

The 10- to 12-h lag phase in chlorophyll accumulation preceding the rapid accumulation phase in Lemna minor de-etiolating in the light was eliminated by a red light preillumination given about the length of the lag period before the onset of continuous red light. Neither the rate after the lag nor the extent of cholorophyll accumulation differed between preilluminated and control plants. Both the rate of accumulation in controls and the absolute stimulation by preillumination were shown to depend upon the length of time the etiolated plants had been grown in darkness up to 93 days. Only one photoproduct of preillumination contributed to the elimination of the chlorophyll lag phase, but the effect of red light was only partially (about 60%) nullified by subsequent far-red light.