THE INVOLVEMENT OF PHYTOCHROME IN LIGHT-INDUCED GERMINATION OF BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM-MYRTILLUS L) SEEDS

The light requirement for the germination of Vaccinium myrtillus L. se ed has been characterized. Seed germination requires an exposure to li ght, with germination in darkness never exceeding 0.5%. Nine days of c ontinuous red light brings about 90% germination, while 50% germinatio n can be obtained by 2 days of continuous red light. A high percent of germination (90%) is also induced by intermittent red light. For the induction of half-maximal germination intermittent red light of 1 h ea ch 24 h during 9 days is sufficient. Far-red light, given immediately after red light, significantly decreases the germination percentage. I nhibitory effect of the far-red light can be seen in both the continuo us and intermittent red light regimes. The escape lime for blueberry s eeds was found to be about 100 hr.