THE EFFECT OF WAVELENGTH AND INTENSITY OF LIGHT ON THE PROPORTION OF PIGMENTS IN PORPHYRIDIUM CRUENTUM

Abstract

B rody , M arcia , and R obert E merson . (U. Illinois, Urbana.) The effect of wavelength and intensity of light on the proportion of pigments in Porphyridium cruentum. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(6): 433–440. Illus. 1959.—We specify a medium for Porphyridium cruentum made from distilled water and inorganic salts, without addition of earth extract, sea water or other supplements of uncertain composition, which sustains excellent growth through successive transfers. By control of intensity and wavelength of light used for growing the cultures, we have found it possible to vary the concentrations of chlorophyll and phycoerythrin, and also the proportions of these 2 pigments, over a considerable range. The changes in proportion of red and green pigments, in response to culturing in green and in blue light, are opposite to the changes that would be predicted from Engelmann's theory of complementary chromatic adaptation, when the intensities of the blue and green light are of the order of 10 4 ergs/cm 2 /sec. (or greater). However, at about 1/100 of this intensity, the changes are in the direction of complementary chromatic adaptation.