photomorphogenesis

photomorphogenesis [¦fōd·ō‚mȯr·fō′jen·ə·səs]

(botany)

The control exerted by light over growth, development, and differentiation of plants that is independent of photosynthesis.

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Photomorphogenesis

The regulatory effect of light on plant form, involving growth, development, and differentiation of cells, tissues, and organs. Morphogenic influences of light on plant form are quite different from light effects that nourish the plant through photosynthesis, since the former usually occur at much lower energy levels than are necessary for photosynthesis. Light serves as a trigger in photomorphogenesis, frequently resulting in energy expenditure orders of magnitude larger than the amount required to induce a given response. Photomorphogenic processes determine the nature and direction of a plant's growth and thus play a key role in its ecological adaptations to various environmental changes. See Photosynthesis

Morphogenically active radiation is known to control seed and spore germination, growth and development of stems and leaves, lateral root initiation, opening of the hypocotyl or epicotyl hook in seedlings, differentiation of the epidermis, formation of epidermal hairs, onset of flowering, formation of tracheary elements in the stem, and form changes in the gametophytic phase of ferns, to mention but a few of such known phenomena. Many nonmorphogenic processes in plants are also basically controlled by light independent of photosynthesis. Among these are chloroplast movement, biochemical reactions involved in the synthesis of flavonoids, anthocyanins, chlorophyll, and carotenoids, and leaf movements in certain legumes.