A Model of Flowering in Chrysanthemum

A mathematical model of flowering in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. is described which may be used to predict quantities such as the number of primordia initiated by the apex, plastochron duration and apical dome mass before, during and after the transformation of the apical meristem from vegetativ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of botany 1979-11, Vol.44 (5), p.557-566
Main Authors: CHARLES-EDWARDS, D. A., COCKSHULL, K. E., HORRIDGE, J. S., THORNLEY, J. H. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apical meristems
Bracts
Chrysanthemum morifoliumRamat
Florets
Flowering
Flowers
Inflorescences
Meristems
Modeling
Plant growth
Plants
primordial initiation
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A mathematical model of flowering in Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. is described which may be used to predict quantities such as the number of primordia initiated by the apex, plastochron duration and apical dome mass before, during and after the transformation of the apical meristem from vegetative to reproductive development. The model assumes that primordial initiation is regulated by an inhibitor present in the apical dome. Within each plastochron the apical dome grows exponentially, and the inhibitor concentration declines through chemical decay and dilution. When the inhibitor concentration falls to a critical level a new primordium is initiated. There is instantaneous production of inhibitor, and a decrease in dome mass corresponding to the mass of the new primordium. The process continues until the apical dome attains a particular mass when the first bract primordium is produced. Subsequent primordia compete with the apical dome for substrates, and the specific growth rate of the dome declines with successive plastochrons. Eventually, the net mass of the dome starts to decline until it is entirely consumed in the production of floral primordia.
ISSN:0305-7364
1095-8290
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a085767