Flowering in Pisum: Effect of 2-Chloroethylphosphonic Acid and Indole-3-Acetic Acid

Abstract

The flowering node of an early line of peas (genotype lf e sn hr) was delayed by Ethrel (active agent 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) in concentrations as low as 1 p.p.m. The delay of 3.7 nodes obtained with 40 p.p.m. is one of the largest reported for any chemical treatment of peas. Indole-3-acetic acid also caused a significant delay when applied at the high rate of 1 mg per plant. We suggest that the delay in both cases may be mediated by ethylene.