Induction of flowering in Lemna paucicostata by salicylic acid

Abstract

The duckweed, Lemna paucicostata 6746, is a short-day plant and is known to remain vegetative under long-day conditions in nutrient solutions containing EDTA. Lemna paucicostata, strain LP₆, is a new strain in which so far it has not been possible to induce flowering in vitro either under SD or LD conditions. Here the induction of flowering is reported in both plants under otherwise non-inductive conditions by the use of salicylic acid, a phenol. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) also brings about a similar effect. Flowering in Lemna paucicostata 6746 can be induced to the extent of 60% which is in contrast to an earlier report [1]. The effects of salicylic acid and aspirin on L. paucicostata LP₆ are even more striking since almost 90-100% plants could be induced to flower.