Rhythmic Leaf Movements of Some Common Weeds

Abstract

In growth chamber studies, we measured the movement of cotyledons and leaves or leaflets in seedlings of nine weed species to determine: the magnitude of movement, whether movements followed a rhythmic pattern, and if rhythmic movements were endogenously controlled. Seedlings were always entrained under a 15-h light:9-h dark regime. Measurements were made at 3-h intervals for 3 to 4 days under four light regimes: alternating 15-h light:9-h dark; continuous light; one 15-h light:9-h dark span, followed by continuous light; and a 15-h light:9-h dark regime, in which the dark span was advanced 9 h (phase shift) when measurements were begun. No clearly defined pattern of leaf movement was found in wild mustard [Brassica kaber(DC.) L. C. Wheeler var.pinnatifida(Stokes) L. C. Wheeler]. Daily rhythmic leaf movements that did not appear to be endogenously controlled were found in redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.) and black nightshade (Solanum nigrumL.). Circadian rhythmic leaf movements that appeared to be under endogenous control were found in jimson-weed (Datura stramoniumL.), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium albumL.), common cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicumWallr.), prickly sida (Sida spinosaL.), sicklepod (Cassia obtusifoliaL.), and coffee senna (Cassia occidentalisL.).