Conditioning circadian rhythmic control of betacyanin content in Chenopodium rubrum by temperature and light intensity cycles during germination

Evidence is presented that a circadian rhythm in betacyanin accumulation in Chenopodium rubrum seedlings (ecotype 50°10′ N, 105°35′ W, selection 184) was initiated or synchronized by the cyclic temperature and light conditions that were imposed during germination. This rhythm was probably free-running in the constant light conditions that preceded the imposition of darkness. Rhythmic fluctuations in the time course of betacyanin content during darkness, which are probably due to betacyanin turnover, showed correlations with the alternating germination conditions, thus indicating that the rhythm is not initiated or rephased by the transition from light of 600 or 3000 ft-c to darkness. Light following darkness increased the respective level of betacyanin accumulation but did not alter the phasing of the rhythm as compared with darkness. The metabolic activity of the seedlings in the light, following darkness, depends on the specific phase of the endogenous rhythm at the time of the dark: light transition.