Far-red radiation and photosynthetic photon flux density independently regulate seedling growth but interactively regulate flowering

Shade-avoidance responses can be triggered by a decrease in the red (R, 600-700 nm) to far-red (FR, 700-800 nm) radiation ratio, by a decrease in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), or both. The effects of decreased PPFD on plant responses are often confounded with the effects of reduced blue (B, 400-500 nm) photon flux density, which is another signaling factor for shade-avoidance responses. We postulated that PPFD would not influence R:FR-mediated shade-avoidance responses if B photon flux density was constant. We grew seedlings of petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum), and coleus (Solenostemon scutellariodes) under three R:FR (1:0, 2:1, and 1:1) at two PPFDs (96 and 288 μmol m-2 s-1), all with a B photon flux density of 32 μmol m-2 s-1. As R:FR decreased, stem length in all species increased. Decreasing R:FR increased individual leaf area of petunia, and shoot dry weight of petunia and coleus. Increasing PPFD decreased chlorophyll concentration and increased leaf mass per area, net CO2 assimilation, whole-plant net assimilation, and dry weight in at least two species, independent of R:FR. In petunia, a long day plant, decreasing R:FR promoted subsequent flowering at both PPFDs, but to a greater extent under the lower PPFD. In day-neutral geranium, the addition of FR had no effect on flowering, irrespective of PPFD. We conclude that with a constant B photon flux density, decreases in R:FR promote stem elongation and leaf expansion, and subsequent dry mass accumulation, independent of PPFD. However, for flowering of long-day plant petunia, the promotive effect of low R:FR is greater under lower PPFD.