Growth correlations in shoot apices ofBrassica campestris L. during transition to flowering

Growth correlations in the shoot apical meristem during transition to flowering were studied in a quantitative long day plant, Brassica campestris L. cv. Ceres, requiring only one long day for floral initiation. During photo-inductive exposure of the plants, an overall increase in cell number could be observed at the shoot apex concomitant with promotion of leaf initiation. Release from apical dominance and decline in relative growth rate of leaf primordia are reported as early effects of photo-induction. With the onset of floral differentiation, production of new leaf primordia had stopped altogether. Maximum increase in RNA concentration could be noticed in axillary meristems following photoperiodic treatment, whereas in vegetative plants the highest RNA concentration was found in leaf primordia. The significance of these changes occurring during transition to flowering is discussed.