Abstract
By comparison of light-sensing systems in non-photosynthetic with those in photosynthetic plants, we intend to get new insight into light-sensing systems in higher plants. Previously, PHYA in Orobanche minor, a holoparasitic plant, had been cloned and characterized. In this study, we confirmed phyA protein expression in O. minor. Plants were cultivated in darkness for 1 week, then protein was extracted and phyA was detected by zinc-blot. Additionally, phytochrome responses were checked during germination and conditioning periods by monochromatic light (red (R), far-red (FR)). It was found that germination rates were affected by light quality during both periods and the effect was remarkable during conditioning. Under continuous R and FR, germination rates were 34% and 85%, respectively. With brief irradiation by R/FR, FR/R, the germination rates were 77% and 44%, respectively. As a conclusion, germination of O. minor is inhibited by R while FR recovered the inihibitory effect of R.
