Photomorphogenesis of Osmunda cinnamomea cultured leaf primordia

Abstract

In the present study, the techniques of sterile organ culture have been applied to a problem in photomorphogenesis. The organs of culture were determined leaf primordia of the cinnamon fern, Osmunda cinnamomea L. The cultured primordia were subjected to various monochromatic radiations in an attempt to determine the pigment system(s) active in the morphogenesis of these organs.The presence of a blue absorbing pigment system (P420) in these organs is shown by the suppressive effect of blue irradiation on primordial elongation. Elongation of primordia is promoted most by white light followed closely by far-red irradiation. The elongation data have led to the identification of a second pigment which controls a photomorphogenic event in this plant system; this pigment absorbs maximally in the far-red region of the spectrum (P730). Analysis of the histological and fresh weight gain data suggest the interpretation that in cultured cinnamon fern leaf primordia control of these morphogenic events is governed by a third photoreceptor pigment which absorbs maximally in the yellow region of the visible spectrum (P580). The effect of monochromatic radiations on crozier development also has been examined.