STUDIES ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLANTS ASSOCIATED WITH FLOWER BUD FORMATION

Abstract

1. In the results of this study the carbohydrate-nitrogen ratios have not proved of special significance in flower bud formation.
2. In the comparison of chemical composition between early summer headed and late summer headed shoots and also between shoots of long growth and those of medium growth of the Chojuro pear trees, the high content of soluble nitrogen was associated with flower bud formation.
3. The results of the study with short-day plants such as cosmos and chrysanthemum show that the content of carbohydrates was decreased by short days and flower bud formation in these plants was, therefore, associated with decrease in carbohydrates on the contrary to the general belief that the accumulation of carbohydrates favors flower bud production.
4. Within the limits of the data obtained in this study, high content of nitrogen, though not in every case, but on the whole, seems favorable for flower bud formation.