The effect of light on endogenous cytokinin levels in seeds of Rumex obtusifolius

Abstract

Exposure of Rumex obtusifolius seed to red light resulted in a rapid increase in extractable cytokinins. This increase can be reversed if the red light treatment is immediately followed by far-red irradiation. In germinating seed hardly any cytokinin activity could be detected in the butanol and aqueous extracts. An increase in the amount of activity present in the petroleum ether extracts of these seeds was, however, observed. The present findings suggest that cytokinin activity in light-sensitive seeds could be under the control of phytochrome.