Browsing by Subject "Rubus arcticus L."

The aim of this research was to find out the effect of photoperiod and quantity of light on growth and flowering of arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus L.) cv. Mesma. The object was also to find out the effect of light on development of floral organs in apical buds of root suckers. Three 12 week long standard treatments were: LD (long day, 12 h HPS-light + 12 h incandescent light), SD (short day, 12 h HPS-light) and HPS (24 h HPS-light). Additionally, the effect of changing the light conditions was examined in four treatments: SD->LD (6 wk SD-treatment + 6 wk LD-treatment), SD->HPS (6 wk SD-treatment + 6 wk HPS-treatment), HPS->SD (6 wk HPS-treatment + 6 wk SD-treatment) and HPS->LD (6 wk HPS-treatment + 6 wk LD-treatment). In standard treatments the vegetative growth determined as the dry weight of the shoots was increased in HPS and decreased in SD. Elongation of shoot was enhanced by LD and development of new leaves was increased in LD and HPS. The number of flowers was highest in HPS and lowest in SD. The average dry weight of a flower and the number of flowers in relation to vegetative growth were increased in HPS. In SD growth and flowering were suppressed towards the end of the experiment. When plants were moved from SD to HPS or LD, growth and flowering were continued. Growth and flowering were clearly enhanced by continuous HPS light. Cessation of growth and flowering in SD suggests that the plants were becoming dormant. Growth and flowering continued when plants were moved from SD to LD or HPS, which indicates that plants were not fully dormant. The differences between treatments LD and SD were probably a consequence of dormancy induction in SD. Floral initiation in apical buds of root suckers occurred in all three standard treatments regardless of photoperiod or quantity of light.