Role of Catecholamines in Promotion of Flowering in a Short-Day Duckweed, Lemna paucicostata 6746

Abstract

l-Epinephrine, l-norepinephrine, and l-isoproterenol substantially promote flowering under a photoperiodic regime of 8 hours light and 16 hours darkness in Lemna paucicostata 6746 when grown on the modified Bonner-Devirian medium devoid of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. If catecholamines are provided to plants at 10(-4) molar level prior to transferring them to the short-day regime, they not only induce more floral primordia but also significantly improve flower development and sustain the flowers for a longer period. Propranolol (10(-4) molar), a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, partially suppresses flowering and the inhibition of flowering is relieved by catecholamines.