Life Movements in Plants, Volume IBose, Jagadis Chandra
Science
Life Movements in Plants, Volume I
Bose, Jagadis Chandra
Growth (Plants); Plants -- Irritability and movements
Inspection of the record exhibits another very interesting
characteristic. We saw that light retarded growth by inducing an
incipient contraction. In the _Desmodium_ leaflet the contractile
reaction of light is exhibited by the characteristic modification of
its pulsations. The duration of application of light is represented
by the horizontal line. In Fig. 86 the up-curve represents up-movement
of diastolic expansion, and the down-curve of systolic contraction.
The contractile reaction of light is seen to counteract the normal
expansion, with diminution of diastolic limit of pulsation.
EFFECT OF RISE OF TEMPERATURE ON PULSATION.
It has been shown that while rise of temperature up to an optimum
enhanced the rate of growth, the effect of light was to retard it.
Hence the effects of light and warmth are antagonistic.
[Illustration: FIG. 87.--Effect of rise of temperature on pulsation of
leaflet of _Desmodium gyrans_. Horizontal line represents the duration
of gradual rise of temperature from 30°C. to 35°C. Note the expansive
effect of rise of temperature in reduction of systolic limit of
pulsation.]
_Effect of rise of temperature on pulse-record: Experiment 93._--In
studying the effect of rise of temperature on the pulsation of leaflets
of _Desmodium_, we discover similar antagonistic reactions of light
and warmth. The leaflet was placed in a plant-chamber with an electric
arrangement for gradual rise of temperature. The first two records
were taken in the normal temperature of the room, which was 30°C.
The temperature was gradually raised to 35°C, the record being taken
all the time. It will be seen (Fig. 87) that the effect of warmth
is diametrically opposite to that of light. The record in Fig. 86
exhibited _the contractile_ effect of light by reducing the diastolic
limit of expansion. In the present case the _expansive_ reaction of
warmth is exhibited by the reduction of systolic limit of contraction.
The temperature of the plant chamber was now allowed to return to
30°C., and we observe the gradual restoration of normal systolic limit
of contraction.
SUMMARY.
Two different effects are found in the action of the stimulus of light
alike on the autonomous activity of leaflet of _Desmodium gyrans_ and
of growing organs. In condition of sub-tonicity light renews pulsation
of _Desmodium_ and enhances the activity of growth. In normal tonic
condition the effect induced is the very opposite, light causing an
arrest of pulsation and retardation or arrest of growth.
The contractile effect of light is seen not only in the retardation of
growth, but also by the characteristic modification of pulsation of
_Desmodium_ in the diminution of diastolic limit of expansion.
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