Changes in the carbohydrate content of the leaf and the apical bud of Sinapis during transition to flowering

Abstract

Vegetative plants of Sinapis alba L. were induced to flower by a single long day of 20 h or by a single short day of 8 h starting at an unusual time of the 24-h cycle (“displaced short day”). The soluble sugar and starch contents of the just-expanded leaf and the apical bud were measured at various times after the start of each of these two photoinductive treatments. Associated with the induction of flowering there were temporary increases in the soluble sugar and starch contents of the leaf and of the bud. These increases were apparent 14 h after the start of the long day and 12 h after the start of the displaced short day. The starch content of the bud increased later. These results indicate that an increase of the soluble sugar content of the bud is required for its transition from the vegetative to the reproductive condition.