A plant scientist was hired by a greenhouse operator to devise a way to force iris plants to bloom in the short days of winter. Iris normally blooms as a long-day (short-night) plant. Which of the following has the best chance of creating iris blooms in winter?
A) Artificially increase the period of darkness in the greenhouse.
B) Increase the temperature to more closely follow summer temperatures.
C) Alternate four hours of darkness with four hours of light repeatedly over each 24-hour period.
D) Interrupt the long winter nights with a brief period of light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Interrupting the long winter nights with a brief period of light can simulate the long-day conditions that irises require to bloom, as it tricks the plant into perceiving a shorter night.

A Plant Scientist Was Hired by a Greenhouse Operator to Devise