Participation of labile and stabile phytochrome in the control of chlorophyll accumulation during the deetiolation of oat seedlings

Abstract

The effect of the phytochrome system on the accumulation rate of chlorophyll-a and b in 96-hour-old oat seedlings during the first 3 hours of white light action was investigated. It was established that initial irradiation with red light stimulated the accumulation rate of both forms of chlorophyll. This effect depended on the level of the P_FR form of phytochrome obtained during the initial irradiation and it reached the treshold value in the case of about 20% of P_FR in relation to P_R in etiolated seedlings. Far red light stimulated only the accumulation of chlorophyll-a. The effect of red light was reversible if far red light was applied directly after red light. The reversibility diminished gradually together with the extension of the dark period between red and far red light, disappearing completely after 6 hours. The results suggest the participation of two pools of phytochrome - a labile and a stabile one - in the reaction stimulating chlorophyll accumulation. A model of labile phytochrome action through the destruction products of phytochrome is proposed.