Attenuation of the Petal Movement Rhythm in Kalanchoë with Light Pulses

Abstract

The circadian petal movement rhythm of Kalanchoë flowers has been studied. The amplitude of the rhythm can be drastically reduced by an appropriate stimulus of a light pulse. It has also been shown that it is possible to stop the rhythm permanently by administering a single light pulse to the flowers. This is interpreted to indicate that the light pulse has sent the circadian rhythm into a stable state of singularity.The conditions which attenuate the rhythm have been investigated both theoretically (on the basis of a previously published model for circadian rhythms) and experimentally. 120 min red light of 230 μW · cm⁻², starting briefly before the second petal closure about 30 h after transfer to constant safe light conditions is optimal in inducing rhythm‐damping. Damping requires the same duration when the light is given at the corresponding phase during the third or fourth cycle of the rhythm. However, in the first cycle 240 min red light of 230 μW · cm⁻² is required to get optimal damping of the rhythm.Conditions to achieve damping for other irradiances are investigated. Individual recordings are presented which show the behaviour of the rhythm when perturbed by light stimuli close to its singularity.