Gibberellins and Light Regulated Petiole Growth in Thlaspi arvense L.

Petiole growth in Thlaspi arvense L. was stimulated when a basic 8 hour photoperiod (4.20 milliwatts per square centimeter) was extended with low intensity light (0.16 milliwatt per square centimeter) from incandescent lamps. The day length extension was effective only when the light contained high proportions of far red light. Exogenous gibberellin A(3) (GA(3)) could partially substitute for the promotive effect of the extended photoperiod. Moreover, the GA biosynthesis inhibitor 2-chlorocholine chloride inhibited the increase in petiole growth induced by the extended photoperiod. However, evidence was obtained indicating that gibberellins do not mediate the effect of the extended photoperiod. First, petiole growth was greater in plants receiving both exogenous GA(3) and a day length extension than the sum of the effects of the two treatments alone. Second, petioles were sensitive to exogenous GA(3) only during the early stages of leaf development, whereas mature (but not senescent) leaves continued to respond to an extension of the photoperiod. Third, the cellular basis for growth induced by extending the photoperiod was different from that observed with GA(3). It was concluded that light and gibberellins are both important in the overall regulation of petiole growth, but act through independent mechanisms.