Effect of Light Conditions on the Dormancy of the Gladiolus Corm

1) Corms taken from plants which had been grown under shade from the three-leaf stage showed earlier sprouting than corms from plants grown under natural conditions.2) Sprouting of corms from plants whose leaves had been treated with photosynthesis-inhibitors was promoted. The amounts of inhibitors, at Rf values 0.0-0.3 on paper chromatograms developed with isopropanol:ammonium:water (10:1:1v/v), decreased in corms whose mother plants had been treated with the photosynthesis-inhibitors.3) Corms taken from plants whose leaf bases had been wrapped with aluminium foil from the three-leaf stage showed the eariest sprouting and a smaller amount of inhibitors at Rf values 0.4-0.8 on paper chromatograms.