The Influence of Sugars on Growth and Cold Acclimation of Excised Stems of Red-osier Dogwood1,2

Abstract

Abstract Excised Cornus stolonifera Michx. stems cultured axenically in a liquid medium were acclimated to cold when subjected to short photoperiods and low temperatures. Foliate explants acclimated effectively and defoliated ones did not when they were cultured on White's medium which contained 0.083 M sucrose. Several other concentrations of sugars (0, 0.01, 0.1, and 0.5 M glucose and 0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 M sucrose) did not enhance cold acclimation of foliated explants. The exogenously supplied sugars reduced stem growth, promoted leaf abscission, and enhanced the development of typical autumnal red coloration in leaves and stems. The highest sugar concentration (0.5 M glucose) caused death of the explants. While a minimal level of photosynthate (sugar) is almost certainly required for the active metabolic phases of cold acclimation in hardy woody species, our studies provided no evidence that sugars bear a direct causal relationship to cold acclimation.