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Inhibition of Flowering in Poinsettia by Gibberellic Acid

Nature volume 197, pages 920–921 (1963)Cite this article

Abstract

THE formation of flowers and decorative bracts in poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) is induced by short photoperiods1, the plants remaining vegetative in long day-lengths. Among short-day plants the perennial Fragaria spp.2 and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana3 are inhibited from flowering by gibberellin. This is in contrast to the short-day annuals typified by Perilia nankinensis4,5. Xanthium pennsylvanicum6, Chenopodium amaranticolor4 and Nicotiana spp.5, where flower induction seems usually to be unaffected by this chemical7. The strawberry also differs from the short-day annuals in that flower induction seems to be promoted by lowering the temperature during induction8,9. As poinsettia exhibits the same negative temperature response10, it seemed interesting to test the effect of gibberellic acid on flower induction in this species.

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References

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  1. Scottish Horticultural Research Institute, Mylnefield, Invergowrie, Dundee

    C. G. GUTTRIDGE

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  1. C. G. GUTTRIDGE
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GUTTRIDGE, C. Inhibition of Flowering in Poinsettia by Gibberellic Acid. Nature 197, 920–921 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/197920a0

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