The effect on the growth of Lemna minor of alternating periods of light and darkness of equal length

Abstract

Garner and Allard (1931) showed that plants grown in alternating light and dark periods of equal duration respond differently according to the length of the period. They found that the growth of Cosmos sulphureus, for example, was progressively poorer as the alternating periods decreased from 12 hr. to 1 min., after which it improved rapidly so that at 5 sec. intermittency the plants were of fairly normal appearance, i.e. like those in 12 hr. alternations. No measurements of these effects however were made. Portsmouth (1937) carried out similar experiments with cucumber plants, and has shown that the increase in total dry weight is greatest in continuous light, only slightly less in 12 hr. alternations and considerably less in 1 min. alternations. He suggests that the effects observed were related to carbohydrate deficiency occasioned by a falling net assimilation rate and partial closure of the stomata at 1 min. alternations. Gregory and Pearse (1937) have shown that short alternating light and dark periods are accompanied by a closing of the stomata in Pelargonium , and here again the effect was at a maximum with intermittencies of about 1 min. duration. In view of the above results it was decided to repeat and extend the growth-rate determinations with Lemna minor , which is simple in structure and is eminently suitable for experimental work under laboratory conditions. It had also the advantage, as its stomatal opening does not change, that should results similar to those of Garner and Allard, and Portsmouth, be obtained it would be possible to assess the value of stomatal closure at rapid intermittencies on growth rate. 2. Experimental procedure Two different stocks of Lemna were employed, one, coming originally from the Chelsea Physic Garden, had been used previously in this de-partment, while the other was a fresh stock obtained from Sutton. Each stock was established in the first instance from a single individual. In all cases colonies were grown under 12 hr. alternating light and darkness for 14 days before being placed under the lighting conditions in which their growth rate was to be measured. Apart from the light factor all environmental conditions were the same during the preliminary 14 days as when measurements were being made. The plants were grown in a culture solution made up as follows: CaH 4 (PO 4 ) 2 . H 2 O 0·100 g., KNO 3 0·800 g., MgSO 4 . 7H 2 O 0·25 g., FeCl 3 0·002g., distilled water 1000 ml. In some cases the water used was condensed on glass, in others on copper. The culture solution was changed only when the plants were being measured; it was not aerated but always shaken up with air immediately before being used. The solution was made up in amounts of 2 litres, but as the number of colonies to be supplied varied from time to time the several lots lasted for different periods.