How do plants use photoperiodism to sense changes in their environment?

[profemina]

How do plants know when it is spring time or winter time?

 

[Ryan_m_b]

Plants respond to long term changes, yes two equinoxes are indistinguishable in terms of light levels on the days themselves but the surrounding days both before and after are mirror images of each other.

This longer term change in light levels is how plants regulate their seasonal behaviour.

 

[profemina]

Thanks ryan_m_b. Can you point me to some reading/reference materials on this particular subject?

 

[Ryan_m_b]

I'm afraid I don't, I'm not a plant biologist and it has been years since I have studied the topic. I'm sure there are some books that you could find on plant biology written for the layman, perhaps http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Botany-For-Dummies.productCd-1118006720.html? I haven't read it but I have found the "for dummies" series to be very good at producing explanations for a non-expert.

 

[LudusRex]

Plants have evolved a mechanism called photoperiodism to sense changes in the amount of daylight and darkness in their environment. This allows them to accurately determine when it is spring time or winter time. Photoperiodism is the ability of plants to respond to changes in the length of the day or night.

Plants have photoreceptors, which are specialized cells that can detect light. These photoreceptors are responsible for measuring the duration of daylight and darkness, also known as the photoperiod. When the photoperiod reaches a certain threshold, it triggers a hormonal response in the plant, causing it to flower, grow, or go into dormancy.

The specific photoperiod required for a plant to initiate a response varies depending on the species. Some plants require long days, while others require short days. This is why some plants flower in the spring, while others flower in the fall.

Additionally, environmental factors such as temperature and moisture can also influence a plant's response to photoperiod. This is why some plants may bloom earlier or later than expected, depending on the conditions in their environment.

In summary, plants use photoperiodism as a way to sense changes in their environment and accurately determine when it is spring time or winter time. This mechanism allows them to adapt and thrive in their surroundings.