Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / Introduction This study investigated the effectiveness of homoeopathic dilutions of abscisic acid (ABA), molybdenum and allopurinol on inhibiting or promoting the germination of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare cv. Stirling, ex Caledon, Western Cape, South Africa, 1998 harvest). Recent research involving ABA and seed germination has shown mixed results, with Bruni (2001), finding there to be statistically significant biological effects, but Couchman (2001) not. Objective/Aim/Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of homoeopathic dilutions of ABA, molybdenum and allopurinol (two substances which have an effect on ABA metabolism), especially those above the 10-23 level (Avogadro’s dilution limit), on germination, in light of recent findings. Abscisic acid, a plant hormone and molybdenum, a trace element, both play an essential role in inducing dormancy of the seed. Allopurinol, a therapeutic drug, has also been shown to affect ABA metabolism and therefore seed germination. The study used all three substances individually and in combination, in homoeopathic dilutions ranging from 4CH to 200CH potency. Methodology There were 7 treatments with 5 potencies per treatment (4CH, 9CH, 15CH, 30CH and 200CH). Each potency level for each treatment had a control, which meant there were 5 controls per treatment. The seeds (distally cut) were placed in 9cm Petri dishes (20 seeds in each), with 5 repetitions, 100 seeds per dilution level with one control of 20 seeds. There were thus 600 (120 x 5) seeds per treatment and 4200 seeds in total (600 x 7 treatments). Seeds were germinated in the dark at a constant temperature. Counts were done every 24 hours for 3 days and the data recorded. The criterion for germination was radical emergence. Results The data was analysed statistically using Univariate Analysis of Variance (STATISTICA version 6). The results showed statistically significant interaction between treatments and potencies and a One-Way Anova was then used to analyse each treatment to determine the effectiveness of each potency. Statistically significant differences were noted between potencies for each treatment. From the results it was clear that the most effective treatment for stimulating germination was the treatment utilizing homoeopathic dilutions of allopurinol. The most effective treatment for inhibiting germination was the treatment utilizing ABA in homoeopathic dilutions. The 30CH (10-60) showed a statistically significant effect on the stimulation of germination across almost all treatments, whereas the 15CH (10-30) showed a statistically significant effect in inhibiting germination in most treatments. Conclusion It is evident from the results of this study that all the treatments produced distinct biological effects, whether it be stimulating germination or inhibiting germination in homoeopathic dilution.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / In recent years, nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important endogenous plant signalling molecule that mediates many developmental and physiological processes. NO regulates the activity of antioxidant enzymes in response to droughtinduced stress by controlling the expression of the genes that encode these enzymes. Antioxidant enzymes function in scavenging reactive oxygen species like superoxide ion (O2 -) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that are generated in response to drought-induced stress and other abiotic stresses. Abscisic acid, a phytohormone that acts as a stress-related hormone in plants, also stimulates production of H2O2, thus further triggering the antioxidant enzyme activity in order to scavenge the excess H2O2. Accumulated data indicate that NO interacts with reactive oxygen species, notably hydrogen peroxide and superoxide. This study was aimed at clarifying the role of NO derived from nitric oxide synthase-like (NOS-like) enzymatic activity in scavenging of H2O2 and to establish if this is dependent or independent of ABA signaling. This was achieved by using Nω-Nitro-L-Arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS to control the amount of NO in maize tissue. The study investigated the effect of L-NAME on the accumulation of superoxide, which is scavenged by superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, the study determined the role of NOS-like activity in ABA-mediated production of H2O2. Lastly, the effect of L-NAME on H2O2 accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity was also investigated. Application of L-NAME altered the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase. These changes in enzymatic activity were coupled with altered levels of O2 - and H2O2 in leaves and roots. Treatments with ABA in combination with L-NAME resulted in reversal of H2O2 content to basal levels. These results suggest that nitric oxide, produced by nitric oxide synthase-like activity, is important in regulation of antioxidant enzyme activity and cross-talks with ABA.

This document refers to research whose main objective was to investigate the relationship among hydraulic, chemical and electrical signals in poor tomato plants ABA production. The document is organized into three chapters: The first chapter presents a detailed extracellular measurement protocol of electrical signals in plants and how to associate these measurements to determine gas exchange using the Infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) and turgor pressure using the patch clamp pressure probe (ZIM-probe). The second chapter refers to recording of the action potential generated spontaneously and evoked by electrical stimulation in ABA-deficient tomato, mutant sitiens. The final chapter presents the results for turgor pressure, gas exchange and electrical signals measurements in mutants notabilis and sitiens in the re-irrigated after a period of drought. The possible role of electrical signals in the plant signalling under stress conditions is discussed. The main conclusions related to chapters 1, 2 and 3 were: Measurement of extracellular electrical signals can be performed with gas exchange and turgor pressure measurements using IRGA ZIM-probe equipment; Electrical signals generated spontaneously in sitiens mutants propagate with amplitude and speed higher than in wild plants. Mutant is less responsive to electrical stimulation showing higher excitation threshold and longer refractory period than wild plants; The mutant plants are more responsive electrically to re-irrigation after drought than wild plants. The electrical signals precede changes in gas exchange in all genotypes, post irrigation. The ZIM-probe was not efficient to evaluate the turgor pressure in mutant plants under stress conditions, but is a promising tool for studies involving hydraulic and electrical signalling in wild plants. / O presente documento refere-se a pesquisa cujo principal objetivo foi investigar a relação entre sinais hidráulicos, químicos e elétricos em plantas de tomate deficientes da produção de ABA. O documento foi organizado em três capítulos: O primeiro capítulo apresenta um detalhado protocolo de medição extracelular de sinais elétricos em plantas e como associar estas medições a determinação de trocas gasosas usando o Analisador de gás por infravermelho (IRGA) e pressão de turgor usando a sonda de pressão (ZIM-probe). O segundo capítulo refere-se ao registro de potenciais de ação gerados espontaneamente e evocados por estímulo elétrico em tomateiro deficiente na produção de ABA, mutante sitiens. O último capítulo apresenta os resultados referentes a medições de pressão de turgor, trocas gasosas e sinais elétricos nos mutantes notabilis e sitiens, deficientes na produção de ABA reirrigadas após um período de déficit hídrico. O possível papel dos sinais elétricos na sinalização em plantas em condições de estresse é discutido. As principais conclusões referentes aos capítulos 1, 2 e 3 foram, respectivamente: As plantas mutantes são mais responsivas eletricamente a re-irrigação, após déficit hídrico com que as plantas selvagens. Medições extracelulares de sinais elétricos podem ser realizadas com medidas de trocas gasosas e pressão de turgor utilizando os equipamentos IRGA e ZIM-probe; Sinais elétricos gerados espontaneamente nos mutantes sitiens se propagam com amplitude e velocidade maiores do que nas plantas selvagens. sitiens é menos responsivo a estímulo elétrico do que plantas selvagens apresentando maior limiar de excitação e período refratário; Os sinais elétricos precedem as alterações nas trocas gasosas pós irrigação em todos os genótipos estudados. A sonda ZIM-probe não se mostrou eficiente para avaliar a pressão de turgor em plantas mutantes sob condições de estresse, mas para as plantas selvagens é uma ferramenta promissora para estudos envolvendo sinalização hidráulica e elétrica.

Guzmania monostachia é uma bromélia tanque epífita C3-CAM facultativa, constituindo-se em um modelo muito interessante para estudar a sinalização que ocorre na transição da fotossíntese C3 para CAM. Baseado em resultados obtidos pelo Laboratório de Fisiologia Vegetal do IBUSP, constatou-se que a mudança em questão se dá de forma diferente ao longo do comprimento das folhas dessa espécie, sendo muito mais pronunciada na região apical do que na basal. Outra pesquisa, desenvolvida anteriormente no mesmo laboratório, sugere fortemente que na indução ao CAM, em plantas jovens de abacaxizeiro C3, o óxido nítrico (NO) e o ácido abscísico (ABA) atuam como mediadores dessa resposta. Levando em conta esses fatos, o presente trabalho visou caracterizar a participação do NO e do ABA como sinalizadores do CAM em uma bromélia que é reconhecidamente C3-CAM facultativa na natureza. Além disso, suas folhas apresentam diferentes níveis de expressão do CAM ao longo do comprimento, podendo, assim, constituir-se em um ótimo modelo para estudos de sinalização. Também se buscou, nesta pesquisa,saber se seria possível reduzir o modelo de estudo para folhas destacadas, não necessitando empregar a planta inteira nos experimentais. Após a comparação da fotossíntese entre folhas pertencentes a plantas inteiras e folhas destacadas, concluiu-se que é viável trabalhar com as folhas isoladas.Essas foram induzidas ao CAM por déficit hídrico, proporcionado por uma solução de polietilenoglicol (PEG) na concentração de 30%. O acúmulo noturno de acidez e a atividade das enzimas fosfoenolpiruvato carboxilase (PEPC) e malato desidrogenase (MDH) em três porções foliares (porção basal, mediana e apical) foram usadas para caracterizar o grau de expressão do CAM. O conteúdo d\'água (expresso em porcentagem)foi usado como um indicativo da perda d\'água pelo tecido foliar.A participação do NO no processo de indução ao CAM foi avaliado por meio de dosagens por quimioluminescência, espectrofluorimetria e localização in situ por microscopia de fluorescência. Também foi usado um doador desse radical livre, o nitroprissiato de sódio (SNP). O ABA foi quantificado pela técnica de cromatografia a gás acoplada a espectrômetro de massas (GC-MS). As folhas mudaram seu metabolismo fotossintético de C3 para CAM no sexto dia de incubação com PEG (segundo o acúmulo noturno de ácidos e a atividade da enzima PEPC), mas a primeira queda detectável no teor d\'água ocorreu logo nas 12 primeiras horas, aumentando até 24ª hora. Nos dias seguintes (até o 7º), o menor teor de água foi encontrado na região basal da folha, enquanto que o CAM se expressou com maior intensidade na porção apical, sugerindo a existência de uma sinalização da redução hídrica entre a parte basal e a apical da folha. De fato, foram detectados maiores quantidades de ABA, em resposta ao déficit hídrico imposto pelo PEG, ao longo de todo o comprimento foliar, com maior quantidade na região apical. Teores significativamente maiores de NO foram detectados por espectrofluorimetria nos últimos três dias de experimento, apenas na região apical. A citolocalização do NO corroborou a quantificação por espectrofluorimetria, mostrando um aumento a partir do sexto dia nos ápices foliares. Conclui-se, portanto, que tanto o NO quanto o ABA parecem participar da sinalização do CAM. Possivelmente, o ABA desempenha um papel decisivo quanto à sinalização da diminuição do teor d\'água, devido ao seu aumento em todo o comprimento da folha,enquanto que o NO parece atuar como um mensageiro secundário, importante à indução do CAM na porção apical foliar. / Guzmania monostachia is a C3-CAM facultative epiphyte tank bromeliad and a very promising model to study the C3 to CAM transition. Results obtained on the Laboratory of Plant Physiology on IBUSP showed that this transition occurs differently along the leaf blade o this species, as it is much stronger on the apical portion of the leaf, when compared to the basal one. Another research, from the same group, strongly suggests that on the induction of CAM in young pineapple plants is mediated by abscisic acid (ABA) and nitric oxide (NO). Based on both of these results, this work intends to characterize the role of NO and ABA in CAM signaling, using as a model of study a species which is generally accepted to be a facultative CAM on natural conditions. Besides that, G. Monostachia shows different degrees of CAM along the leaf blade, which makes an interesting model of it for signaling studies. It was also attempted to use detached leaves as a valid model of study for this species. Since no remarkable differences were detected between an experiment performed with whole plants or detached leaves alone, it was chosen to carry over the work using only detached leaves. The induction of CAM was performed by drought, using a 30% polyethyleneglycol (PEG) solution. The nocturnal acid accumulation and the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) enzymes were measured in three portions of the leaf (basal, middle and apical). The water amount was indicative of the water loss on foliar tissues. NO participation was assessed through chemioluminescence, spectrofluorimetry and in situ localization by fluorescence microscopy. A NO donor was also used. ABA was quantified by gas chromatography associated with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The leaves changed the photosynthetic metabolism from C3 to CAM on the sixth day after the beginning of PEG exposure (as stated by the nocturnal acid accumulation and PEPC activity), but the decrease in water amount values started soon, after 12 hours of exposure, and stabilizing after 24 hours. The major loss of water percentage was detected on the basal portion, persisting until the seventh day, while on the apical portion, after two days the control and PEG-treated leaves remained similar. Since the C3-CAM change occurred in the apical portion, it is possible to suggest a signal transport from the base to the apex of the leaf in response to water loss. Indeed, the ABA levels remained higher with the water loss along the whole leaf, but with greater intensity on the apical portion. Higher NO levels were also detected on PEG-treated leaves, but only on the apical portion. The in situ localization of NO corroborates the spectrofluorimetry, showing an increase on the sixth day after PEG exposure on the leaf apex. In conclusion, both NO and ABA seem to participate on the signaling of CAM. Possibly, ABA plays a decisive role on indicating drought, because it increases on the whole leaf subjected to PEG, while NO is, maybe, a secondary signal, specific to processes that occur only on the apical portion, such as the CAM induction.

L'acide abscissique (ABA) est une phytohormone universellement conservée dans les plantes terrestres qui coordonne plusieurs aspects de la réponse des plantes au déficit hydrique telles que l'architecture de la racine, la dormance des graines et la régulation de la fermeture des stomates. Un mécanisme de transduction du signal de l'ABA a été proposé incluant des récepteurs intracellulaires (ABA PYR/PYL/RCARs) qui coopèrent avec les phosphatases PP2Cs et des protéines kinases SnRK2 régulant ce système tripartite. Le but de cette étude était d'identifier et de caractériser pour la première fois les gènes orthologues de ce système tripartite chez Coffea. Ainsi, les séquences de protéines d'Arabidopsis, de citrus, du riz, du raisin, de la tomate et de la pomme de terre ont été choisis pour la requête des gènes orthologues dans le Coffee Genome Hub (http://coffee-genome.org/). L'expression différentielle dans les tissus tels que les feuilles, les graines, les racines et les organes floraux a été vérifié par le biais des analyses in silico. L'expression des gènes in vivo a été également réalisée par RT-qPCR dans les feuilles et les racines des clones Conilon de C. canephora tolérant (DT 14, 73 et 120) et susceptibles soumis (ou non) à la sécheresse (DS 22). Les profils d'expression des genes du système tripartite CcPYL-PP2C-SnRK2 ont également été analysés dans des feuilles de C. arabica (Ca) et de C. canephora (Cc) cultivées dans des conditions hydroponiques et soumis à un traitement d´ABA exogène (500 uM). Cette approche a permis l'identification et la caractérisation de 24 gènes candidats (9 PYR/PYL/RCARs, 6 PP2Cs et 9 SnRK2s) dans le génome de Cc. Les motifs protéiques identifiés dans les séquences de café ont permis la caractérisation de ces gènes comme des membres de la famille des récepteurs PYL /RCARs, les phosphatases PP2Cs ou kinase SnRK2 de la voie de réponse dépendante d'ABA. Ces familles ont été fonctionnellement annotés dans le génome de Cc. Les analyses in vivo ont révélées que huit gènes étaient surexprimé en condition de sécheresse dans les feuilles et les racines. Parmi eux, trois gènes codant phosphatases se sont exprimés dans tous les clones (DT et DS), suggèrant qu'ils ont été activés comme une réponse générale face au stress de la sécheresse. Cependant, deux autres gènes de la phosphatase de codage n´ont été surexprimé que dans les clones DT, suggèrant qu'ils constituent les principaux gènes de tolérance à la sécheresse chez ces clones. Les clones DT ont également montré des profils d'expression génique différents pour les cinq autres gènes, renforçant ainsi l'idée que des multiples mécanismes biologiques sont impliqués dans la tolérance à la sécheresse en Cc. En réponse à l´ABA exogène, 17 gènes se sont exprimés dans les feuilles des plantes Cc et Ca. Plusieurs gènes se sont exprimés differament chez le clone DT 14, soit en traitement contrôle ou après 24h de traitement avec ABA. En condition contrôle, cinq gènes se sont surexprimés aussi bien chez le Cc que chez le Ca DT. La kinase CcSnRK2.6 a été soulignée comme un gène exprimé spécifiquement chez le Cc (DT et DS) après 72h de traitement avec ABA. En géneral, on a observé que la voie de signalisation de l'ABA est retardée chez le DS Ca Rubi. Ces preuves moléculaires sont confirmées par des analyses de microscopie montrant que le clone DT 14 était plus efficace dans le contrôle de la fermeture des stomates que d'autres plantes de café en réponse au traitement d´ABA. Tous ces évidences nous aideront à identifier le déterminisme génétique de la tolérance à la sécheresse par la voie de l´ABA, essentielle pour obtenir des marqueurs moléculaires qui pourraient être utiles dans les programmes de sélection du café. / Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone universally conserved in land plants which coordinates several aspects of the plant response to water deficit such as root architecture, seed dormancy and regulation of stomatal closure. A mechanism of ABA signal transduction has been proposed, evolving intracellular ABA receptors (PYR/PYL/RCARs) interacting with PP2Cs phosphatases and SnRK2 protein kinases regulating this tripartite protein system. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize for the first time the orthologs genes of this tripartite system in Coffea. For this purpose, protein sequences from Arabidopsis, citrus, rice, grape, tomato and potato were chosen as query to search orthologous genes in the Coffee Genome Hub (http://coffee-genome.org/). Differential expression in tissues as leaves, seeds, roots and floral organs was checked through in silico analyses. In vivo gene expression analyses were also performed by RT-qPCR in leaves and roots of drought-tolerant (DT 14, 73 and 120) and drought-susceptible (DS 22) C. canephora Conilon clones submitted (or not) to drought. The expression profiles of the tripartite system CcPYL-PP2C-SnRK2 genes were also analyzed in leaves of C. arabica (Ca) and C. canephora (Cc) plants grown under hydroponic condition and submitted to exogenous ABA treatment (500 µM). This approach allowed the identification and characterization of 24 candidate genes (9 PYL/RCARs, 6 PP2Cs and 9 SnRK2s) in Cc genome. The protein motifs identified in the predict coffee sequences enabled characterize these genes as family’s members of PYL/RCARs receptors, PP2Cs phosphatases or SnRK2 kinases of the ABA-dependent response pathway. These families were functionally annotated in the Cc genome. In vivo analyses revealed that eight genes were up-regulated under drought conditions in both leaves and roots tissues. Among them, three genes coding phosphatases were expressed in all (DT and DS) clones therefore suggesting that they were activated as a general response to cope with drought stress. However, two other phosphatase coding genes were up-regulated only in the DT clones, suggesting that they constitute key-genes for drought tolerance in these clones. The DT clones also showed differential gene expression profiles for five other genes thus reinforcing the idea that multiple biological mechanisms are involved in drought tolerance in Cc. In response to exogenous ABA, 17 genes were expressed in leaves of Cc and Ca plants. Several genes were differentially expressed in the DT clone 14 either in control condition or after 24h with ABA treatment. Under control condition, five genes were higher expressed as in the Cc as in Ca DT plants. The kinase CcSnRK2.6 was highlighted as a gene specifically expressed in the Cc plants (DT and DS) after 72h of ABA treatment. Overall, it was observed that ABA signaling pathway is delayed in the DS C. arabica Rubi. Those molecular evidences corroborated with microscopies analyses which showed that the DT clone 14 was more efficient to control the stomatal closure than other coffee plants in response to ABA treatment. All these evidences will help us to identify the genetic determinism of drought tolerance through ABA pathway essential to obtain molecular markers that could be used in coffee breeding programs

The sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) steppe is undergoing rapid ecological change. The degradation of sagebrush steppe rangelands has resulted in the listing of more than 350 animals and plants as species of conservation concern. In addition, there has been a decrease in recreational values, reduced forage production, degraded water resources, and an increase in fire frequency. In the sagebrush steppe, success rates for seeding sagebrush after wildfire are notoriously low. Not only are sagebrush seeds hard to sow due to their small size and associated flower parts, but seedlings are exposed to numerous stresses that lowers their survivability. To improve sowing efficiency and reduce the associated stresses to seedling development we use seed enhancement technologies. In Chapter 1, we explain how a rotary seed coater can be used to agglomerate and apply enhancements to Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. wyomingensis) seed. Using a mix of compost and clay we used a rotary seed coater to create small uniform agglomerates that allowed for enhancements to be applied to the seed. Our study demonstrated that agglomerates have no negative effects on seed germination and increased the overall flow of seed. In Chapter 2, we analyzed the addition of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) in seed coatings. This hormone may delay seed germination and allow seedlings to avoid mortality due to over-winter freezing. We determined effects of different concentrations of ABA on total germination and timing of germination. Using a wet-thermal accumulation model, we estimated germination timing of seeds using soil temperature and water potential data for six different sites in the Great Basin. These models illustrate the variation in germination timing across the Great Basin. From our results we proposed the idea of using ABA to create a bet- hedging strategy in seed mixes to increase the probability that some seeds would germinate when conditions are favorable for seedling success.

In plants, change in lipid composition is a common response to various abiotic stresses. Lipid constituents of bryophytes are of particular interest as they differ from that of flowering plants. Unlike higher plants, mosses have high content of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Such lipids are considered to be important for survival of nonvascular plants. Here, using abscisic acid (ABA )-induced changes in lipid composition in Physcomitrella patens as an example, a protocol for total lipid extraction and quantification by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with flame ionization detector (FID) is described.

Arabidopsis thaliana HYL1 is a nuclear doublestranded RNA-binding protein involved in the maturation of pri-miRNAs. A quantitative real-time PCR platform for parallel quantification of 176 primiRNAs was used to reveal strong accumulation of 57 miRNA precursors in the hyl1 mutant that completely lacks HYL1 protein. This approach enabled us for the first time to pinpoint particular members of MIRNA family genes that require HYL1 activity for efficient maturation of their precursors. Moreover, the accumulation of miRNA precursors in the hyl1 mutant gave us the opportunity to carry out 3’ and 5’ RACE experiments which revealed that some of these precursors are of unexpected length. The alignment of HYL1- dependent miRNA precursors to A. thaliana genomic sequences indicated the presence of introns in 12 out of 20 genes studied. Some of the characterized intron-containing pri-miRNAs undergo alternative splicing such as exon skipping or usage of alternative 5’ splice sites suggesting that this process plays a role in the regulation of miRNA biogenesis. In the hyl1 mutant intron-containing pri-miRNAs accumulate alongside spliced primiRNAs suggesting the recruitment of HYL1 into the miRNA precursor maturation pathway before their splicing occurs.

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Influence of absicisic acid on flowering in Phalaenopsis hybrida Abscisic acid (ABA) in the buds (or flowering shoots) , leaves and roots of Phalaenopsis hybrida (cv. TS 340) was identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry- selected ion monitoring using hexadeuterated ABA as an internal standard. Leaves contained much lower levels of both free and bound ABA than did roots. Dormant buds contained a relatively higher level of free ABA, whereas no detectable free or bound ABA was found in flowering shoots either at a length of 2 to 3 cm or 7 to 10 cm. Dormant stage P. hybrida ( grown at 28¢J ), levels of free ABA in the roots were higher than those in plants with flowering shoots, the levels of bound ABA in roots exhibited opposite tendency. Free and bound ABA in leaves was slightly increased in plants with flowering shoots as compared to those in the dormant stage. In addition, exogenous ABA application at 0.1 or 1 µg per plant inhibited initiation of flowering shoots, especially at 1µg per plant. These results suggest the decrease in the free ABA contents in the roots and buds, but not in the leaves, is correlated with bud activation and development of flowering shoots. Protein synthesis and flowering in Doritis pulcherrima in relation to daylength Mature doritis plants (Doritis pulcherrima Lindley cv. S84 -3345) were cultured in plastic pots with 9-h (short-day, SD) and 16-h (long-day, LD) photoperiods, respectively. The main 9-h light period was under field conditions (30 ¢J day/20 ¢J night on average). The supplemental 7-h light conditions for the LD was in chambers with 14 £gmol. m-2 s-1 photosynthetic photon flux. When transferred to SD for 30 or 40 days the plants initiated flower spikes (90 % of the total plants) between 2.0 to 3.0 cm and 7.0 to 10.0 cm in length, respectively. In contrast, only 10 % of the plants producing flowering shoots were observed under LD conditions. Unique 21 and 103 kDa proteins were evident in one-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins from mature leaves under SD conditions. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis confirmed that clear polypeptide spots with a molecular mass of 21 kDa at isoelectric point of 5.2 and 103 kDa at isoelectric point of 5.6 accumulated in leaves when flowering shoot reached 7.0 to 10.0 cm (4 to 5 flowe4 primordia apparent). Possibly, the 21 and 103 kDa proteins play the important role during initiation of flowering shoot in doritis. Polypeptide sequencing of P21 suggested a possible relationship to the product of cell division-like protein in Arabidopsis thaliana. It is clear that doritis is a facultative SD plant, and photoperiodic induction of its flowering is closely associated with changes of protein synthesis in its leaves.