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combination of sound and nutrients, Carlson has succeeded in producing “indeterminate growth" in plants. His first success was with a Purple Passion house plant that normally grows only about 18 inches. Under the influence of Carlson's Sonic Bloom treatment, the 17-year-old plant eventually reached a length of 1,300 feet and earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. The process is already being used by farm- ers in some 30 states and at least seven foreign countries. "I read a book that said when plants heard sound, a 3,000- cycle hum, they seemed to open their stomata, they breathed better and got healthier." To induce plants to do that, Carlson developed a high-pitched blend of natural and musical sounds that is available in cassette form for home use and as a sound box for farm fields. For more information refer to the advertisement on this page, or write to: Dan Carlson Scientific Enterprises, Inc., W. 7964 810th Avenue, River Falls, WI 54022, USA. (Ref.: Minneapolis Star & Tribune, 2 September 1986.) Plants respond to light with a complex variety of reactions which are affected by the duration (photoperiod), intensity and wavelength of the light. The scientific literature concerning plant photoperiodism includes several intriguing reports of experiments with single colour and intermittent light effects on plant growth. Edward Babbitt and other experimenters during the 19th century reported that under the influence of blue light, the ger- mination period of seeds is reduced to half the usual time; plant vitality is increased, growth is accelerated, stem and leaf development are improved and yields are increased. Babbitt used stained glass filters which passed only light of the same colour as the glass. In 1861, General A. J. Pleasanton constructed a 2,200 sq. ft greenhouse in which every eighth pane was blue. He obtained phenomenal results in terms of increased yield, improved flavour, etc., and was granted US Patent #119,242 (26 September 1871) for "Improvements in Accelerating the Growth of Plants and Animals". He recommended a ratio of eight white to one blue light for optimal plant growth, and a ratio of 1:1 for best animal development. Blue light stimulates the directional response of plants to light. Plants’ stomata open more widely in the presence of blue light. Evaporation and photosynthesis are intensified and chlorophyll production is accelerated. However, some cells may rupture, and mitosis may be inhibited. Recent experiments have shown that the helium-neon laser (632.8 nm) can influence the phytochrome-controlled germi- nation, growth and development of plants from a distance of more than a quarter-mile. The maximum effect is obtained by one or two minutes of exposure to reflected laser light. More than ten minutes of irradiation will inhibit the phytochrome response. In some cases, successive nightly irradiations at low intensity have significantly greater effect than a single expo- sure of greater length or intensity. The response can be reversed by alternating exposure to the laser and far-red light. (Ref.: L. G. Palea, Nature 228:970-3 (1970).) Far-red light can be used to increase the growth of some plants (such as beans) up to ten times the normal rate by increasing phytochrome activity. Red light at 660 nm stimu- lates growth, development, flowering and fruiting. When red light at 700 nm is available with 650 nm red light, photosyn- thetic activity is considerably greater than with either single MONOCHROME LIGHT Continued on page 72