Phytochrome‐mediated changes in the ATP content of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana seeds

Abstract

ABSTRACTOne short red (R) irradiation increases the ATP content of Kalanchoë blossfeldiana Poelln. cv Feuerblüte seeds before onset of germination. Phytochrome control is demonstrated by the full R/far‐red light (FR) reversibility of the effect in water imbibed seeds. In seeds imbibed in the presence of gibberellin A3 (GA3, one short R exposure already increases the ATP content when given 2h after start of imbibition, showing phytochrome control at the energy‐metabolic level when one R pulse cannot yet induce germination. After longer imbibition periods in the presence of GA3, one short FR irradiation also increases the ATP content of ungerminated Kalanchoë seeds. The time course of the ATP levels after a R or FR germination inducing irradiation shows an initial increase that clearly preceeds germination. A second increase starts about 15 h after irradiation and is most probably the consequence of the germination itself. The results suggest that, in Kalanchoë seeds, the increase in ATP levels, induced by irradiation(s) and preceding germination, is a phytochrome‐mediated process, supplying energy, required for germination.