Articles
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF VERTICAL TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS ON THE TRANSLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASSIMILATES.
Article number
174_34
Pages
277 – 282
Language
Abstract
In glasshouses vertical temperature gradients may develop within the crop.
Besides causing direct harm or affecting plant morphogenesis in the long-term, these gradients may be expected to give short-term effects too, as many physiological processes in the plant respond quickly to environmental changes and show a typical diurnal pattern.
Possible short-time consequences of vertical temperature gradients for the translocation and distribution of assimilates are discussed.
Distinction is made between assimilate producing plant parts (source) and assimilate consuming parts (sink). Under low light conditions the supply of assimilates by source leaves is hardly affected by temperature.
This implicates that the total amount of assimilates translocated from source leaves will be unaltered.
Only shifts in the diurnal time course of the translocation may be observed.
As far as sink temperatures are concerned, changes in the assimilate distribution may be expected, especially in generative plants.
Temperature differences as found in practice will cause fruits or flowers in ornamental crops to attract assimilates at the expense of the growth of other sinks when they are exposed to higher temperatures.
The developmental stage of the sinks is important in this process.
Besides causing direct harm or affecting plant morphogenesis in the long-term, these gradients may be expected to give short-term effects too, as many physiological processes in the plant respond quickly to environmental changes and show a typical diurnal pattern.
Possible short-time consequences of vertical temperature gradients for the translocation and distribution of assimilates are discussed.
Distinction is made between assimilate producing plant parts (source) and assimilate consuming parts (sink). Under low light conditions the supply of assimilates by source leaves is hardly affected by temperature.
This implicates that the total amount of assimilates translocated from source leaves will be unaltered.
Only shifts in the diurnal time course of the translocation may be observed.
As far as sink temperatures are concerned, changes in the assimilate distribution may be expected, especially in generative plants.
Temperature differences as found in practice will cause fruits or flowers in ornamental crops to attract assimilates at the expense of the growth of other sinks when they are exposed to higher temperatures.
The developmental stage of the sinks is important in this process.
Publication
Authors
F.N. Verkleij
Keywords
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