The influence of different daylengths on ear emergence and seed setting in oats

Abstract

1. The study of the photoperiodic responses of varieties and forms of the genus Avena has revealed considerable diversity within the group.2. The investigation of a number of forms differing in geographical distribution confirms the close relationship between photoperiodism and region of origin. There appears to exist a definite relationship between the geographic origin of a given form and the limits of its tolerance to short day. The forms from the more southerly latitudes suffered less from short day than those of northern origin.3. Panicle exsertion was entirely suppressed under photoperiods of 12 hr. and less in A. sativa varieties Victory, S. 84 and Black Supreme, which have been selected for high yielding ability in more northerly latitudes.4. Plants which failed to produce exserted panicles in varietal tests were dissected, and it was found that floral differentiation had not been inhibited by the shortened photoperiods, but that the full elongation of the internodes, especially the upper internodes, had been suppressed.5. Selection experiments with progenies of the cross Wintok × A.fatna form Cc 3872 grown under different photoperiods confirmed a highly selective response to daylength, thus indicating that this response is under genetic control.