SEED GERMINATION

The germination of many seeds is influenced

by light as evident in the flush of germination
in areas of cultivation or natural disturbance.
Some seeds, known as positively
photoblastic seeds, are stimulated to
germinate by light. The germination of
others, known as negatively photoblastic
seeds, is inhibited by light.
 DE-ETIOLATION
When exposed to light, etiolated seedlings
undergo de-etiolation, a process under
control of both phytochromes and
cryptochromes. Hypocotyl growth is arrested,
the plumular hook gradually straightens, and
elongation of the epicotyl accelerates. Light
also stimulates the leaves to unfold, enlarge,
and complete their development.
 SHADE AVOIDANCE
Plants typically respond to shadelight with
increased elongation of stem-like organs
(including hypocotyls and leaf petioles, a more
upward orientation of leaves (hyponasty),
reduced branching, and reduced tillering (in
grasses). In the end, shading leads to early
flowering and seed set in an effort to ‘‘escape’’
shading by shortening generation time. These
and other effects are collectively called the shade
avoidance syndrome.
 DETECTING END-OF-DAY
SIGNALS
There are also substantial changes in the
spectral energy distribution of natural daylight
on a daily basis. At both dawn and dusk, when
the sun sits low on the horizon, there are
significant relative decreases in the value of ζ
compared with the main part of the day.
 CONTROL OF ANTHOCYANIN
BIOSYNTHESIS
Anthocyanins are the water-soluble red and blue
pigments responsible for the color of many
vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The
biosynthesis of anthocyanins is a classical high
irradiance reaction, first revealed in studies of
red cabbage seedlings. Like other responses of
etiolated seedlings, the initiation of
anthocyanin accumulation is a classic
phytochrome-dependent LFR.
 RAPID PHYTOCHROME
RESPONSES
Phytochrome-modulated transmembrane
potentials have since been reported for a variety
of tissues from several laboratories. The results
are not completely consistent, but in most cases
red light induces a depolarization of the
membrane within 5 to 10 seconds following a red
light treatment. A subsequent far-red treatment
causes a slow return to normal polarity or small
hyperpolarization. At this point, it is not known
whether such effects are due to a direct action of
phytochrome on the membrane or whether a
second messenger system is involved.
 PhyA MAY FUNCTION TO
DETECT THE PRESENCE
OF LIGHT
Note that phyA accumulates in two particular
situations: (1) in seeds that require red light to
germinate and consequently do not germinate
when buried deep in the soil, and (2) in
germinated seedlings in which phytochrome is
used to detect light as the seedling
approaches the soil surface.