Some plants can assess the quality of light that falls on them, and then ''decide'' whether or not to flower. The key to the process is a protein called PFT1, say Pablo D. Cerdan and Joanne Chory researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, California, USA. Plants growing in crowded conditions or under dense canopies receive proportionately less red light compared with far-red light due to reflections from neighbouring green leaves. This alteration is perceived by a light-sensitive protein, phytochrome B, which activates PFT1. PFT1 goes on to affect the expression of a gene, known as 'Flowering Locust' which prompts plants to bloom. The research was conducted using Arabidopsis. This finding, that was reported in "Nature" may eventually provide horticulturalists with a tool to force plants to flower on demand. Contact: Joanne Chory Tel 001 8585521148 E-mail: chory@salk.edu