To analyze the interference of light intensity with the effect of temperature on plant growth and other plant responses, the hypocotyl elongation of cucumber seedlings (
Cucumis sativus L. “Aofushinari”) was examined under light intensities of 4, 000, 8, 000 and 12, 000 lux for 8-hour photoperiods at air temperatures of 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40°Cin a growth cabinet. Cucumber seedlings were sown in a plastic container filled with burnt chaff. One day after germination, the seedlings were cultured under their respective light intensities and following results were obtained:
1) Hypocotyl elongation was remarkably affected by light intensity at different temperatures; hypocotyl elongation was inhibited by increased light intensities.
2) The effect of light intensity on the hypocotyl elongation was greatest at 30°C and smallest at 20°C.
3) The optimum temperature for hypocotyl elongation was altered by changing the light intensity; at a light intensity of 4, 000 lux, the optimum temperature was 30°Cand at 8, 000 and 12, 000lux, the optimum temperature was 35°C.
From these results, it is clear that the effect of temperature on hypocotyl elongation of cucumber seedlings is remarkably affected by light intensity. This suggests that much more importance should be attached to light intensity conditions for the exact analyses of the effect of temperature on the plant growth and other plant responses.
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