ISSN:
1399-3054
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Senescence of Brassica campestris L. cv. B-9 was studied with regard to seed maturation and source-sink relationships. In normal control plants leaf senescence (as determined by the change in chlorophyll level) started and proceeded in a progressive manner from base to apex during the period of early pod setting. Complete yellowing of the leaves occurred well before the seed maturation and pod wall senescence. The pod wall always senesced before the attainment of final seed weight. In two different sets of acrocarpous plants containing 65 pods and 10 pods, respectively, leaf senescence was delayed during the pod filling period. It started non-sequentially after complete yellowing and senescence of the pod wall. The degree of leaf senescence at the post-pod filling stage was almost proportional to the number of pods present. When peduncles of the acrocarpous 10-podded plants were removed after the pod filling stage of the plant, leaf senescence was delayed compared to plants whose pedicels were removed, although the senescence pattern of the upper three leaves was nonsequential in both cases. Defruiting at an early stage of development delayed leaf senescence, although the pattern of such senescence remained unaltered (i.e. nonsequential). Defoliation hastened the seed-filling process and pod wall senescence. Plants containing fewer pods had higher average seed weight, although yield per plant was reduced.These results suggest that the pod wall serves as a temporary as well as intermediary storage organ and that foliar senescence is not directly related to seed maturation. The possible cause of uncoupling between foliar senescence and seed development is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1987.tb04622.x
