Light-induced changes in the period of the circadian rhythm of carbon dioxide output in Bryophyllum leaves

Summary The period of the rhythm of carbon dioxide output from leaves of Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi R. Hamet et Perrier at 15°C was shorter in continuous white light than in darkness. The period was monitored in leaves exposed to narrow spectral bands of monochromatic radiation at an incident quantum flux density of 4.7×10^-11 einsteins cm^-2s^-1. Bands centred on 660, 600, 730 and 530 nm significantly shortened the period, the greatest effect being achieved at 660 nm and the smallest at 530 nm; those centred on 760 and 450 nm were without effect. None of the bands tested significantly lengthened the period. The period of the rhythm in leaves exposed continuously to monochromatic radiation at 660 nm decreased with increasing quantum flux density. The extent to which a quantum flux density of 4.7×10^-11 einsteins cm^-2s^-1 at wavelength 660 nm shortened the period depended on the ambient temperature. At 15°C a significant reduction of 4.4 h occurred as compared with the dark control, while at 30°C no significant reduction was observed. The transient (the time from the initiation of the rhythm to the first peak) showed a greater dependence on temperature than did the steady-state period. No such difference could be detected in relation to the intensity or quality of irradiation. The reduction of the transient by the various irradiation treatments was, in general, proportional to the reduction of the period.