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5.    What do you understand by photoperiodism and vernalisation? Describe their significance.

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Photoperiodism- It is the effect of photoperiods or day duration of light hours on the growth and development of a plant, especially flowering. On the basis of photoperiodic response, flowering plants have been divided into the following categories-

1. Short Day Plants– These plant flower when the photoperiod is below a critical period (continuous duration of light which must not be exceeded in short day plants and should always be exceeded in long day plants in order to bring them flower). Example- Xanthium, Rice, Sugarcane, Potato etc.

2. Long Day Plants– These plants flower when they receive long photoperiod of light, greater than a critical period. Example- Radish, Barley, Lettuce.

3. Day Neutral Plants – The plants which can blossom throughout the year are called day-neutral plants. Example- Bean, Wild Kidney.

It is believed that the process of flowering is controlled by a flowering hormone known as florigen. 

Significance of photoperiodism is that it helps in studying the response of flowering in various crop plants with respect to the duration of exposure to light.

Vernalisation- It is the process of shortening of the juvenile or vegetative phase and hastening of flowering by cold treatment. The stimulus of Vernalisation is perceived by meristematic cells. Vernalisation helps in shortening of the vegetative period of plant and brings about early flowering. It is applicable to temperate plants like Wheat, Rice, Millets, etc.

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