Vernalization is the process of inducing flowering in plants by exposing them to cold temperatures for an extended period of time.
Plants and animals’ responses to the lengths of dark and light phases are known as Photoperiodism. It is the developmental response of plants to the relative lengths of day and night time.
Major Differences between Vernalisation and Photoperiodism
Photoperiodism facilitates the understanding of flowering in diverse crop plants concerning the duration of light exposure whereas the cold-induced flowering of plants is known as Vernalisation.
In this article, the differences between Photoperiodism and Vernalization in Plants is discussed.
Vernalisation
1. It replaces the natural exposure to cold by artificial chilling.
2. Vernalisation is required by plants of only temperate and subarctic regions.
3. It prepares the plants to receive flowering stimulus after previous cold treatment.
4. It shortens the juvenile phase.
5. It does not help in flowering.
6. Vernalisation is a prolonged treatment.
7. Cold treatment must be continued day night.
8. Gibberellin can replace the low-temperature requirements of many plants.
9. Stimulus is perceived by growing tips.
10. It is supposed to form a biochemical called vernalin.
11. The effect of vernalisation cannot be transferred to a non vernalized plant except Hyoscyamus.
12. Freshly vernalised plants can be devernalised.
13. The receptor for cold treatment is not known.
Photoperiodism
1. Cold treatment is not required.
2. Photoperiodism affects plants everywhere.
3. It includes flowering after exposure to definite photoperiods.
4. It has no effect on the juvenile phase.
5. Photoperiodism is a comparatively shorter treatment.
6. Photoperiodic induction is limited in the daytime.
7. Gibberellin can replace the effects of long-day photoperiods but not others.
8. Stimulus is perceived by leaves.
9. It is supposed to form a biochemical or hormone called florigen.
10. The effect of photoperiodic induction can be transferred to non induced plants through grafting.
11. Freshly photoinduced plants cannot be desensitised.
12. The receptor for light stimulus is phytochrome.
