The effect of temperature and photoperiod on primary floral induction in three lines of alpine bluegrass

Abstract

The effects of temperature and photoperiod on primary floral induction in three lines of alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina L.) were studied in controlled environments. These lines were developed at the Alberta Environmental Centre from single plant accessions collected from the Alberta Rocky Mountains. Plants representing all three lines were subjected to temperatures of 3, 9, and 12 °C under dark (0 h), short-day (8 h), and long-day (18 h) photoperiods for durations of 6, 10, and 14 wk. Plants were subsequently transferred to conditions of 22 °C/15 °C, 18 h photoperiod and heading response was recorded. Primary floral induction was found to be favoured by low temperatures and/or short days with marked inhibition at 12 °C. Complete dark conditions were not inductive. Six weeks of primary induction was suboptimal with only 15% of plants flowering. However, 100% of plants flowered after 10 wk of primary induction at 3 °C under both long-day and short-day conditions. Differences among lines were significant for number of heading plants, number of heads per plant, time to heading, and critical induction duration. Primary induction in line 907 occurred at longer photoperiods, warmer temperatures, and in shorter durations than the other lines indicating a lesser induction requirement. Possible implications are discussed in the use of alpine bluegrass populations for revegetating disturbed mountain sites. Key words: Floral induction, temperature, photoperiod, Poa alpina, alpine bluegrass