The inhibitory effect of light on seed development in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

Abstract

Explanations were sought for the poor seed development commonly found in unburied burrs of subterranean clover.

In the first of two experiments, the effects of light and of atmospheric moisture stress on seed development in subterranean clover (cv. Daliak) were examined. Burrs produced from spaced laterals were enclosed in plastic tubes variously shaded to permit the entry of 0, 5, 19, 48 and 100% daylight. The tubes were further allocated to two groups. Air was continuously passed through tubes of one group to produce an atmospheric moisture stress, while those of the other group were not subjected to air flow. There was a marked effect of light on seed development. Mean seed weight was reduced from c. 11 mg in the dark treatment to 4 mg at only 5% daylight and to 2 mg in the 100% daylight treatment. Seed numbers were reduced significantly, from four to c. two seeds per burr, in the 100% daylight treatment only. There was virtually no effect of atmospheric moisture stress on either seed set or seed size.

In the second experiment, a study was made of the effect of timing of burr burial on seed development processes. Fertilization does not appear to be implicated but both cell division and cell enlargement were influenced by the state of burial and, presumably, by light.