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Light and ethylene effects on assimilate distribution, acid invertase activity and keeping quality of begonia

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Abstract

Flowering plants of Begonia × cheimantha cv Emma and Begonia x hiemalis cv Schwabenland Red were exposed to different light levels (0, 40, 80 μM m−2S−1) and to ethylene (150 nl 1−1) in growth cabinets. Increasing irradiance level increased the number of flower buds in both begonia species. The amount of 14C-assimilates translocated to flower buds and the acid invertase activity in flower buds and flowers also increased with increasing irradiance level. Conversely, treatment with ethylene decreased the accumulation of 14C in flowers and flower buds, but did not affect acid invertase activity. Ethylene accelerated abscission of flowers and flower buds and increased the number of cup shaped and small flowers.

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Author notes

  1. J. Nowak

    Present address: Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, 96-100, Skierniewice, Poland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticulturae, Agricultural University of Norway, P.O. Box 22, N-1432, Aas - NLH, Norway

    J. Nowak & T. Fjeld

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  1. J. Nowak
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  2. T. Fjeld
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Nowak, J., Fjeld, T. Light and ethylene effects on assimilate distribution, acid invertase activity and keeping quality of begonia. Plant Growth Regul 13, 47–53 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207591

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207591

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