Phytochrome involvement in stomatal movement in Pisum sativum, Vicia faba and Pelargonium sp.

Abstract

Red and blue light triggered the opening of isolated stomata of Pisum sativum L. cv. Peleg Alvador, Vicia faba L. (unknown cultivar) and Pelargonium sp. The stimulatory effect of short irradiation with red or blue light was reversed by a subsequent short irradiation with far‐red light. In Pisum the stimulatory effect of a continuous irradiation with red or blue light was also abolished by a concomitant far‐red light. In leaf pieces of P. sativum blue light was more effective than red, but not in isolated guard cells. In the presence of mesophyll, DCMU inhibited stomatal opening in red light more than in blue, and thus increased the relative response to blue light. This was less evident in isolated guard cells.