Vol. 73 No: 2

Title:
Effects of Simulated Light Environments on Growth and Leaf Morphology of Peach Plants

Authors:
RITA BARALDI, F. RAPPARINI, A. ROTONDI and G. BERTAZZA

pp: 251-258

Abstract:
The role of light quality and quantity in regulating growth and differentiation of Prunus persica plants was evaluated using different coloured filters in an outdoor experiment. Examination of total growth showed that neutral shading (80% of transparent control) did not affect shoot length, internode elongation, leaf number, and branching, but strongly influenced the anatomical characteristics of leaves. The combination blue + far red (B + FR) acted quite differently from the combination red + far red (R + FR) and caused a general inhibition of growth phenomena. Shorter and more compact plants were produced under B + FR tunnels where the reduction in shoot elongation was consistent with the reduction in internode length. Furthermore, light transmitted through the B + FR filter resulted in lower branching and in smaller and thinner leaves compared with those grown under the other light treatments. The number of flowers was not affected by either light quality or quantity. The negative effect on growth and development of the light environment under B + FR was associated with low P_fr. (far red light absorbing form of phytochrome) and with the action of blue light.

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