Effect of Visible Light on the Formation of α-Amylase in Seedlings of Dianthus barbatus and Triticum aestivum

Abstract

1) α-Amylase activity can be detected in the seedlings of Dianthus barbatus.
2) A slight α-amylase activity is observed in the flower of Triticum aestivum. About a week after anthesis, the activity attains its maximum value which is nearly as much as the value seen in seedings 2 days after sowing at 15°.
3) Formation of α-amylase in the seedlings of Dianthus barbatus and Triticum aestivum is inhibited by light in the early stage of germination at lower temperatures 20° in the former plant and 15° in the latter. Formation of α-amylase in these seedlings is then noticeably promoted by light on the 4th or 5th day after sowing, so that there may be some intermediate stage in which the formation is not affected by light at all.