Summary
The effect of photoperiod on Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poellniz, cv. Tom Thumb, has characteristics similar to its effect on flowering in this plant (although these two phenomena are not causally related). The photoperiodic control of CAM is based on (a) dependance on phytochrome, (b) an endogenous circadian rhythm of sensitivity to photoperiodic signals, (c) a balance between specific positive (increase in enzyme capacity) and negative (inhibitory substances) effects of the photoperiod. Variations in malate content, capacity of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, and capacity of CAM inhibitors in young leaves were measured under photoperiodic conditions noninductive for CAM and after transfer into photoperiodic conditions inductive for CAM. Essential characteristics of the photoperiodic induction of CAM are: 1) lag time for malate accumulation; 2) after-effect of the inductive photoperiod on the malate accumulation, on the increase in PEP carboxylase capacity, and on the decrease in the level of long-day produced inhibitors; final levels of malate, enzyme capacity and inhibitor are proportional to the number of inductive day-night cycles; 3) cireadian rhythm in PEP carboxylase capacity with a fixed phase under noninductive photoperiods and a continuously shifting phase under inductive photoperiods, after complex advancing and delaying transients. Kinetic similarities indicate that photoperiodic control of different physiological functions, namely, CAM and flowering, may be achieved through similar mechanisms. Preliminary results with species of Bryophyllum and Sedum support this hypothesis. Phase relationships suggest different degrees of coupling between endogenous enzymic rhythm and photoperiod, depending on whether the plants are under long days or short days.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Borthwick, H. A., Hendricks, S. B.: Photoperiodism in plants. Science 132, 1223–1228 (1960)
Brulfert, J., Guerrier, D., Queiroz, O.: Photopériodisme et activité enzymatique: mise en évidence d'un seuil d'induction irréversible dans l'étude d'une voie métabolique. C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 273D, 2526–2529 (1971)
Brulfert, J., Guerrier, D., Queiroz, O.: Photopériodisme et activité enzymatique: présence en jours longs d'un système inhibiteur d'une voie métabolique active en jours courts. C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 274D, 2671–2674 (1972)
Brulfert, J., Guerrier, D., Queiroz, O.: Photoperiodism and enzyme activity: balance between inhibition and induction of the Crassulacean acid metabolism. Plant Physiol. 51, 220–222 (1973)
Evans, L. T.: Flower induction and the florigen concept. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 22, 365–394 (1971)
Gregory, F. G., Spear, I., Thimann, K. V.: The interrelation between CO2 metabolism and photoperiodism in Kalanchoe. Plant Physiol. 29. 220–229 (1954)
Lang, A.: Physiology of flower initiation. Encycl. Plant Physiol., vol. XV, pt. 1, p. 1380–1536 (1965)
Lerman, J. C., Queiroz, O.: Carbon fixation and isotope discrimination by a Crassulacean plant: dependence on the photoperiod. Science 183, 1207–1209 (1974)
Menaker, M.: Circadian rhythms and photoperiodism in Passer domesticus. In: Circadian clocks, p. 385–395, Aschoff, J., ed. Amsterdam: North Holland 1965
Morel, C., Celati, C., Queiroz, O.: Sur le métabolisme acide des Crassulacées. V. Adaptation de la capacité enzymatique aux changements de photopériode. Physiol. vég. 10, 743–763 (1972)
Moyse, A.: La physiologie des feuilles de Bryophyllum daigremontianum Berger: la synthèse, la dégradation et l'utilisation des acides aminés. In: Travaux dédiés à Lucien Plantefol, p. 21–44. Paris: Masson 1965
Queiroz, O.: Sur le métabolisme acide des Crassulacées. Action à long terme de la température de nuit sur la synthèse d'acide malique par Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Tom Thumb placée en jours courts. Physiol. vég. 3, 203–213 (1965)
Queiroz, O.: Sur le métabolisme acide des Crassulacées. II. Action à long terme de la température de jour sur les variations de teneur en acide malique en jours courts. Physiol. vég. 4, 323–339 (1966)
Queiroz, O.: Sur le métabolisme acide des Crassulacées. III. Variations d'activité enzymatique sous l'action du photopériodisme et du thermopériodisme. Physiol. vég. 6, 117–136 (1968)
Queiroz, O.: Circadian rhythms and metabolic patterns. Ann. Rev. Plant Physiol. 25, 115–134 (1974)
Queiroz, O., Celati, C., Morel, C.: Sur le métabolisme acide des Crassulacées. VI. Photopériodisme et rythmes circadiens d'activité enzymatique. Systèmes régulateurs. Physiol. vég. 10, 765–781 (1972)
Queiroz, O., Morel, C.: Photoperiodism and enzyme activity. Towards a model for the control of circadian metabolic rhythms in the Crassulacean acid metabolism. Plant Physiol. 53, 596–602 (1974)
Queiroz, O., Morel, C.: Metabolic feedback and endogenous circadian rhythmicity: the case of the enzyme PEP carboxylase. J. interdiscipl. Cycle Res. 5, 217–222 (1975)
Rowsell, E. V.: Transaminase in animal tissue homogenates. Meth. in Enzymol. 5, 685–697 (1962)
Schwabe, W. W.: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Poellniz. In: The induction of flowering, p. 227–246, L. T. Evans, ed. Melbourne: Macmillan of Australia 1969
Scrutton, M. C., Utter, M. F.: The regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in animal tissues. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 37, 249–302 (1968)
Ting, I. P.: Nonautotrophic CO2 fixation and Crassulacean acid metabolism. In: Photosynthesis and photorespiration, p. 169–185, Hatch, M. D., Osmond, C. B., Slatyer, R. O., eds. New York: Interscience 1971
Walker, D. A.: Pyruvate carboxylation and plant metabolism. Biol. Rev. 37, 215–256 (1962)
Wever, R.: Virtual synchronization towards the limits of the range of entrainment. J. theor. Biol. 36, 119–132 (1972)
Winfree, A. T.: On the photosensitivity of the circadian time-sense in Drosophila pseudoobscura. J. theor. Biol. 35, 159–189 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brulfert, J., Guerrier, D. & Queiroz, O. Photoperiodism and enzyme rhythms: Kinetic characteristics of the photoperiodic induction of Crassulacean acid metabolism. Planta 125, 33–44 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388871
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388871