Dormancy, Turion Formation, and Germination by Different Clones of Spirodela polyrrhiza

Some clones of Spirodela polyrrhiza form dormant bodies called turions which require several weeks of chilling treatment before they proceed to renew growth and develop into vegetative fronds. The individual fronds of Spirodela are less than 5 mm long and can be grown aseptically in liquid culture. Turion formation and germination can serve as a bioassay for the various compounds involved in dormancy development.Turion formation can be induced by manipulation of light intensity during the day, photoperiod, night temperature, day temperature, and concentration of nitrate in the culture medium. Different clones of Spirodela from northeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Argentina had different requirements for turion formation. The clones from Argentina and Puerto Rico did not form turions under any of the experimental conditions imposed. Turions of some clones required chilling treatments for renewed vegetative growth while others did not. Both gibberellic acid and long photoperiods were required to bypass the chilling requirements of some clones, but not others.