Phases of Development to Flowering in Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) under Various Temperatures

Authors: WANG Z.; ACOCK M.C.; ACOCK B.

Source: Annals of Botany, Volume 80, Number 4, October 1997 , pp. 547-552(6)

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Abstract:

Development up to flowering in opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) has been divided into four phases from emergence to anthesis which mark changes in its sensitivity to photoperiod: a photoperiod-insensitive juvenile phase (JP), a photoperiod-sensitive inductive phase (PSP), a photoperiod-sensitive post-inductive phase (PSPP) and a photoperiod-insensitive post-inductive phase (PIPP). To predict flowering time under field conditions, it is essential to know how these phases are affected by temperature. Plants were grown in artificially-lit growth chambers and received three different temperature treatments: 15/10, 20/15 and 25/20 #&176;C in a 12 h thermoperiod. Plants were transferred within each temperature regime from a non-inductive 9 h to an inductive 16 h photoperiod or vice versa at 1-4 d intervals to determine the durations of the four phases. Temperature did not affect the duration of the first two phases (i.e. JP lasted 3-4 d and PSP required 4-5 d). The most significant effect of temperature was on the duration of PSPP which was 28, 20 and 17 d at 15/10, 20/15 and 25/20 #&176;C, respectively. The temperature effect on PIPP was small (maximum difference of 3 d between treatments) and the data too variable to indicate a significant trend. Our results indicate that PSPP is the only phase that clearly exhibits sensitivity to temperature.

Keywords: Days to flower; opium poppy; Papaver somniferum L.; phases of flower development; photoperiod; temperature

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: USDA-ARS, Remote Sensing and Modeling Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, 20705, U.S.A.

Publication date: 1997-10-01