Vegetative and reproductive development of shoot apices of Pharbitis nil as influenced by photoperiodism

Abstract

In shoot apices of Pharbitis nil, cytohistological zonation is not clearly delineated at germination. With increase in age, zonation develops and the granular appearance of the cytoplasm disappears. After induction by a single 16-hour dark period the first recognizable sign of floral transition becomes evident on the second day, with increase in the mitotic activity of the apex. On the third and fourth days, the sepals are initiated and the petals and stamens are initiated simultaneously on the fifth day. On the sixth day the carpel primordia originate. Between the 11th and 12th days after the inductive dark period, the pollen grains develop and the style extends. Between the 19th and 20th days the epidermal cells of the stigma become secretory.