title: Inhibition of growth and synchronised cell division in the shoot apex in relation to flowering in Silene.
abstract: When plants of Silene coeli-rosa (L.) Godron were induced by seven long days, then exposed to darkness for 48 h before being returned to short days, they went on to initiate flowers with a delay of about 2 d. The synchronisation of cell division which normally occurs before flower initiation was suppressed, showing that it is not essential for flowering. Periods of darkness of up to 240 h inhibited apical growth and leaf initiation but did not prevent eventual flowering in short days. The commitment of the apex to flower was therefore maintained while apical growth was inhibited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, EH9 3JH, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grose
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lyndon