Decision-Making Underlying Support-Searching in Pea Plants

Finding a suitable support is a key process in the life history of climbing plants. Those that find a suitable support have greater performance and fitness than those that remain prostrate. Numerous studies on climbing plant behavior have elucidated the mechanistic details of support-searching and attachment. Far fewer studies have addressed the ecological significance of support-searching behavior and the factors that affect it. Among these, the diameter of supports influences their suitability. When the support diameter increases beyond some point, climbing plants are unable to maintain tensional forces and therefore lose attachment to the trellis. Here, we further investigate this issue by placing pea plants (Pisum sativum L.) in the situation of choosing between supports of different diameters while their movement was recorded by means of a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The results indicate that the way pea plants move can vary depending on whether they are presented with one or two potential supports. Furthermore, when presented with a choice between thin and thick supports, the plants showed a distinct preference for the former than the latter. The present findings shed further light on how climbing plants make decisions regarding support-searching and provide evidence that plants adopt one of several alternative plastic responses in a way that optimally corresponds to environmental scenarios.

Can Plants Move Like Animals? A Three-Dimensional Stereovision Analysis of Movement in Plants

Simple Summary

Intrigued by the ability of climbing peas to detect and grasp structures such as garden reeds, we adapted a method classically used to investigate the grasping movement of animals to the study of grasping movements in plants. We used time-lapse photography to document the behavior of pea plants, grown in the vicinity of a support pole. Using this footage, we analyzed the kinematics of tendrils growth and found that their approach and grasp exhibited movement signatures comparable to those characterizing the reach-to-grasp movement of animals. Through our method it may be possible to demonstrate that plants may be more sentient than we give them credit for: namely, they may possess the ability to act intentionally.

Abstract

In this article we adapt a methodology customarily used to investigate movement in animals to study the movement of plants. The targeted movement is circumnutation, a helical organ movement widespread among plants. It is variable due to a different magnitude of the trajectory (amplitude) exhibited by the organ tip, duration of one cycle (period), circular, elliptical, pendulum-like or irregular shape and the clockwise and counterclockwise direction of rotation. The acquisition setup consists of two cameras used to obtain a stereoscopic vision for each plant. Cameras switch to infrared recording mode for low light level conditions, allowing continuous motion acquisition during the night. A dedicated software enables semi-automatic tracking of key points of the plant and reconstructs the 3D trajectory of each point along the whole movement. Three-dimensional trajectories for different points undergo a specific processing to compute those features suitable to describe circumnutation (e.g., maximum speed, circumnutation center, circumnutation length, etc.). By applying our method to the approach-to-grasp movement exhibited by climbing plants (Pisum sativum L.) it appears clear that the plants scale movement kinematics according to the features of the support in ways that are adaptive, flexible, anticipatory and goal-directed, reminiscent of how animals would act.

Conditions for the emergence of circumnutations in plant roots

The plant root system shows remarkably complex behaviors driven by environmental cues and internal dynamics, whose interplay remains largely unknown. A notable example is circumnutation growth movements, which are growth oscillations from side to side of the root apex. Here we describe a model capable of replicating root growth behaviors, which we used to analyze the role of circumnuntations, revealing their emergence I) under gravitropic stress, as a combination of signal propagation and sensitivity to the signal carriers; II) as a result of the interplay between gravitropic and thigmotropic responses; and III) as a behavioral strategy to detect and react to resource gradients. The latter function requires the presence of a hypothetical internal oscillator whose parameters are regulated by the perception of environmental resources.

Nutations in Plant Shoots: Endogenous and Exogenous Factors in the Presence of Mechanical Deformations

We present a three-dimensional morphoelastic rod model capable to describe the morphogenesis of growing plant shoots driven by differential growth. We discuss the evolution laws for endogenous oscillators, straightening mechanisms, and reorientations to directional cues, such as gravitropic reactions governed by the avalanche dynamics of statoliths. We use this model to investigate the role of elastic deflections due to gravity loading in circumnutating plant shoots. We show that, in the absence of endogenous cues, pendular and circular oscillations arise as a critical length is attained, thus suggesting the occurrence of an instability triggered by exogenous factors. When also oscillations due to endogenous cues are present, their weight relative to those associated with the instability varies in time as the shoot length and other biomechanical properties change. Thanks to the simultaneous occurrence of these two oscillatory mechanisms, we are able to reproduce a variety of complex behaviors, including trochoid-like patterns, which evolve into circular orbits as the shoot length increases, and the amplitude of the exogenous oscillations becomes dominant.

The dynamics of plant nutation

In this article we advance a cutting-edge methodology for the study of the dynamics of plant movements of nutation. Our approach, unlike customary kinematic analyses of shape, period, or amplitude, is based on three typical signatures of adaptively controlled processes and motions, as reported in the biological and behavioral dynamics literature: harmonicity, predictability, and complexity. We illustrate the application of a dynamical methodology to the bending movements of shoots of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in two conditions: with and without a support to climb onto. The results herewith reported support the hypothesis that patterns of nutation are influenced by the presence of a support to climb in their vicinity. The methodology is in principle applicable to a whole range of plant movements.

Taking inspiration from climbing plants: methodologies and benchmarks-a review

One of the major challenges in robotics and engineering is to develop efficient technological solutions that are able to cope with complex environments and unpredictable constraints. Taking inspiration from natural organisms is a well-known approach to tackling these issues. Climbing plants are an important, yet innovative, source of inspiration due to their ability to adapt to diverse habitats, and can be used as a model for developing robots and smart devices for exploration and monitoring, as well as for search and rescue operations. This review reports the main methodologies and approaches used by scientists to investigate and extract the features of climbing plants that are relevant to the artificial world in terms of adaptation, movement, and behaviour, and it summarizes the current available climbing plant-inspired engineering solutions.

Circumnutation and Growth of Inflorescence Stems of Arabidopsis thaliana in Response to Microgravity under Different Photoperiod Conditions

Circumnutation is a periodic growth movement, which is an important physiological mechanism of plants to adapt to their growth environments. Gravity and photoperiod are two key environmental factors in regulating the circumnutation of plants, but the coordination mechanism between them is still unknown. In this study, the circumnutation of Arabidopsis thaliana inflorescence stems was investigated on board the Chinese recoverable satellite SJ-10 and the Chinese spacelab TG-2. Plants were cultivated in a special plant culture chamber under two photoperiod conditions [a long-day (LD) light: dark cycle of 16:8 h, and a short-day (SD) light: dark cycle of 8:16 h]. The plant growth and movements were followed by two charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. The parameter revealed a daily (24 h) modulation on both TG-2 and SJ-10, under both the LD and the SD conditions. The inhibition of circumnutation was more apparent by microgravity under the SD in comparison with that under the LD condition, suggesting the synergistic effects of the combined microgravity and photoperiod on the circumnutation in space. In addition, an infradian rhythm (ca. 21 days long) on the TG-2 was also observed.

Calcium signals are necessary to establish auxin transporter polarity in a plant stem cell niche

In plants mechanical signals pattern morphogenesis through the polar transport of the hormone auxin and through regulation of interphase microtubule (MT) orientation. To date, the mechanisms by which such signals induce changes in cell polarity remain unknown. Through a combination of time-lapse imaging, and chemical and mechanical perturbations, we show that mechanical stimulation of the SAM causes transient changes in cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration (Ca²⁺) and that transient Ca²⁺ response is required for downstream changes in PIN-FORMED 1 (PIN1) polarity. We also find that dynamic changes in Ca²⁺ occur during development of the SAM and this Ca²⁺ response is required for changes in PIN1 polarity, though not sufficient. In contrast, we find that Ca²⁺ is not necessary for the response of MTs to mechanical perturbations revealing that Ca²⁺ specifically acts downstream of mechanics to regulate PIN1 polarity response.

Auxin transport and microtubule orientation respond to mechanical stimulation at the shoot apical meristem. Here Li et al. show that mechanical stimulation causes cytosolic calcium concentration transients, and preventing such changes impairs reorientation of the PIN1 auxin efflux carrier, but not of microtubules.

Circumnutation and distribution of phytohormones in Vigna angularis epicotyls

Circumnutation is a plant growth movement in which the tips of axial organs draw a circular orbit. Although it has been studied since the nineteenth century, its mechanism and significance are still unclear. Greened adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) epicotyls exhibited a clockwise circumnutation in the top view with a constant period of 60 min under continuous white light. The bending zone of circumnutation on the epicotyls was always located in the region 1-3 cm below the tip, and its basal end was almost identical to the apical end of the region where the epicotyl had completely elongated. Therefore, epidermal cells that construct the bending zone are constantly turning over with their elongation growth. Since exogenously applied auxin transport inhibitors and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) impaired circumnutation without any effect on the elongation rate of epicotyls, we attempted to identify the distribution pattern of endogenous auxin. Taking advantage of its large size, we separated the bending zone of epicotyls into two halves along the longitudinal axis, either convex/concave pairs in the plane of curvature of circumnutation or pre-convex/pre-concave pairs perpendicular to the plane. By liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found, for the first time, that IAA and gibberellin A₁ were asymmetrically distributed in the pre-convex part in the region 1-2 cm below the tip. This region of epicotyl sections exhibited the highest responsiveness to exogenously applied hormones, and the latent period between the hormone application and the detection of a significant enhancement in elongation was 15 min. Our results suggest that circumnutation in adzuki bean epicotyls with a 60 min period is maintained by differential growth in the bending zone, which reflects the hormonal status 15 min before and which is shifting sequentially in a circumferential direction. Cortical microtubules do not seem to be involved in this regulation.

The Kinematics of Plant Nutation Reveals a Simple Relation between Curvature and the Orientation of Differential Growth

Nutation is an oscillatory movement that plants display during their development. Despite its ubiquity among plants movements, the relation between the observed movement and the underlying biological mechanisms remains unclear. Here we show that the kinematics of the full organ in 3D give a simple picture of plant nutation, where the orientation of the curvature along the main axis of the organ aligns with the direction of maximal differential growth. Within this framework we reexamine the validity of widely used experimental measurements of the apical tip as markers of growth dynamics. We show that though this relation is correct under certain conditions, it does not generally hold, and is not sufficient to uncover the specific role of each mechanism. As an example we re-interpret previously measured experimental observations using our model.

In his writings, Darwin considered nutation, the revolving movement of the apical tip of plants, as the most widespread plant movement. In spite of its ubiquity, plant nutation has not received as much attention as other plant movements, and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. A better understanding of this presumably growth-driven process is bound to shed light on basic growth processes in plants. In the work presented here we redefine the problem by describing the kinematics in three dimensions, as opposed to the typical description restricted to the horizontal plane. Within this framework we reveal a simple picture of the underlying dynamics, where the orientation of curvature follows the orientation of maximal differential growth. This parsimonious model recovers the major classes of nutation patterns, as shown both analytically and numerically. We then discuss the limitations of classical measurements where only the movement of the apical tip is tracked, suggesting more adequate measurements.

Electrical potential oscillations--movement relations in circumnutating sunflower stem and effect of ion channel and proton pump inhibitors on circumnutation

The physiological control and molecular mechanism of circumnutation (CN) has not yet been fully understood. To gain information on the CN mechanism, the relationship between the changes of electrical potential and movement in the circumnutating sunflower stem and effect of ion channels and proton pump inhibitors on CN parameters were evaluated. Long-term electrophysiological measurements and injection of solutions of ion channel inhibitors (ICI) into sunflower stem with the simultaneous time-lapse recording of the movement were made. The oscillations of electrical potential (OEP) - movement relations - consist of cells depolarization on the deflected side of the stem and, at this same time, cells hyperpolarization on the opposite side of the stem. The delay of organ movement in relation to electrical changes of approximately 28 min (22% of the period) may indicate that the ionic fluxes causing the OEP are the primary phenomenon. The biggest decrease of CN period was observed after injection of proton pump (approximately 26%) and cation channel (approximately 25%) inhibitors, while length and amplitude were reduced mainly by calcium channel inhibitors (approximately 67%). Existence of OEP only in circumnutating part of sunflower stem and reduction of CN parameters and OEP amplitude after application of ICI prove that the CN cellular mechanism is associated with transmembrane ion transport.

Growth and molecular responses to long-distance stimuli in poplars: bending vs flame wounding

Inter-organ communication is essential for plants to coordinate development and acclimate to mechanical environmental fluctuations. The aim of this study was to investigate long-distance signaling in trees. We compared on young poplars the short-term effects of local flame wounding and of local stem bending for two distal responses: (1) stem primary growth and (2) the expression of mechanoresponsive genes in stem apices. We developed a non-contact measurement method based on the analysis of apex images in order to measure the primary growth of poplars. The results showed a phased stem elongation with alternating nocturnal circumnutation phases and diurnal growth arrest phases in Populus tremula × alba clone INRA 717-1B4. We applied real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplifications in order to evaluate the PtaZFP2, PtaTCH2, PtaTCH4, PtaACS6 and PtaJAZ5 expressions. The flame wounding inhibited primary growth and triggered remote molecular responses. Flame wounding induced significant changes in stem elongation phases, coupled with inhibition of circumnutation. However, the circadian rhythm of phases remained unaltered and the treated plants were always phased with control plants during the days following the stress. For bent plants, the stimulated region of the stem showed an increased PtaJAZ5 expression, suggesting the jasmonates may be involved in local responses to bending. No significant remote responses to bending were observed.

Circumnutation as an autonomous root movement in plants

Although publications on circumnutation of the aerial parts of flowering plants are numerous and primarily from the time between Darwin (1880) and the 1950s, reports on circumnutation of roots are scarce. With the introduction of modern molecular biology techniques, many topics in the plant sciences have been revitalized; among these is root circumnutation. The most important research in this area has been done on Arabidopsis thaliana, which has roots that behave differently from those of many other plants; roots grown on inclined agar dishes produce a pattern of half waves slanted to one side. When grown instead on horizontally set dishes, the roots grow in loops or in tight right-handed coils that are characterized by a tight torsion to the left-hand. The roots of the few plants that differ from Arabidopsis and have been similarly tested do not present such patterns, because even if they circumnutate generally in a helical pattern, they subsequently straighten. Research on plants in space or on a clinostat has allowed the testing of these roots in a habitat lacking gravity or simulating the lack. Recently, molecular geneticists have started to connect various root behaviors to specific groups of genes. For example, anomalies in auxin responses caused by some genes can be overcome by complementation with wild-type genes. Such important studies contribute to understanding the mechanisms of growth and elongation, processes that are only superficially understood.

Circumnutation as a visible plant action and reaction: physiological, cellular and molecular basis for circumnutations

Circumnutation is a helical organ movement widespread among plants. It is variable due to a different magnitude of trajectory (amplitude) outlined by the organ tip, duration of one cycle (period), circular, elliptical, pendulum-like or irregular shape and clock- and counterclockwise direction of rotation. Some of those movement parameters are regulated by circadian clock and show daily and infradian rhythms. Circumnutation is influenced by light, temperature, chemicals and can depend on organ morphology. The diversity of this phenomenon is easier to see now that the digital time-lapse video method is developing fast. Whether circumnutation is an endogenous action, a reaction to exogenous stimuli or has a combined character has been discussed for a long time. Similarly, the relationship between growth and circumnutation is still unclear. In the mechanism of circumnutation, epidermal and endodermal cells as well as plasmodesmata, plasma membrane, ions (Ca(2+), K(+) and Cl(-)), ion channels and the proton pump (H(+)ATPase) are engaged. Based on these data, the hypothetical electrophysiological model of the circumnutation mechanism has been proposed here. In the recent circumnutation studies, gravitropic, auxin, clock and phytochrome mutants are used and new functions of circumnutation in plants' life have been investigated and described.

Arabidopsis root growth movements and their symmetry: progress and problems arising from recent work

Over the last fifteen years, an increasing number of plant scientists have become interested in the Arabidopsis root growth pattern, that is produced on the surface of an agar plate, inclined from the vertical. In this situation, the roots wave intensely and slant preferentially towards one side, showing torsions in the epidermal cell files alternately right-and left handed. In addition, the pattern switches to the formation of large or strict coils when the plate is set horizontally. After this finding, different hypotheses were advanced attempting to explain the forces that shape these patterns. These basically appear to be gravitropism, circumnutation and negative thigmotropism. With regard to the symmetry, the coils and the slanting in the wild-type are essentially right-handed, but mutants were also reported which show a left-handed symmetry, while some do not show a regular growth pattern at all. This review article discusses the earlier as well as the most recent findings on the topic, and investigates the possibility of describing the different mechanisms shaping the root growth patterns via unifying hypothesis.

Ultradian rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves in microgravity

Ultradian movements of Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves were discovered and studied under microgravity conditions in space. Weightlessness revealed new facets of these movements. The European Modular Cultivation System (EMCS) was used in a long-term white-light, light-darkness (LD; 16 : 8 h) experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). Leaves reacted with slow up or down movement (time constant several hours) after transitions to darkness or light, respectively. Superimposed movements with periods of c. 80-90 min and small-amplitude pulsed movements of 45 min were present in the light. Signal analysis (fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis) revealed several types and frequencies of movements. Identical phase coupling was observed between the 45-min movements of the leaves of one plant. In darkness, movements of c. 120-min period were recorded. The EMCS allowed 0-g to 1-g transitions to be created. Leaves on plants germinated in microgravity started a negative gravitropic reaction after a delay of c. 30 min. Leaves grown on a 1-g centrifuge reacted to the same transition with an equal delay but had a weaker gravitropic response. The experiments provide unequivocal demonstrations of ultradian, self-sustained rhythmic movements in A. thaliana rosette leaves in the absence of the effect of gravity.

Gravity amplifies and microgravity decreases circumnutations in Arabidopsis thaliana stems: results from a space experiment

In a microgravity experiment onboard the International Space Station, circumnutations of Arabidopsis thaliana were studied. Plants were cultivated on rotors under a light:dark (LD) cycle of 16 : 8 h, and it was possible to apply controlled centrifugation pulses. Time-lapse images of inflorescence stems (primary, primary axillary and lateral inflorescences) documented the effect of microgravity on the circumnutations. Self-sustained circumnutations of side stems were present in microgravity but amplitudes were mostly very small. In darkness, centrifugation at 0.8 g increased the amplitude by a factor of five to ten. The period at 0.8 g was c. 85 min, in microgravity roughly of the same magnitude. In white light the period decreased to c. 60 min at 0.8 g (microgravity value not measurable). Three-dimensional data showed that under 0.8 g side stems rotated in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Circumnutation data for the main stem in light showed a doubling of the amplitude and a longer period at 0.8 g than in microgravity (c. 80 vs 60 min). For the first time, the importance of gravity in amplifying minute oscillatory movements in microgravity into high-amplitude circumnutations was unequivocally demonstrated. The importance of these findings for the modelling of gravity effects on self-sustained oscillatory movements is discussed.

Complex relationship between growth and circumnutations in Helianthus annuus stem

The growth and circumnutation of the stem of three-week old Helianthus annuus in the 16:8 h light:dark photoperiod were monitored using an angular position-sensing transducer and a time lapse photography system. It was found that the rate of growth and circumnutation reached a high level in the dark stage; in the light stage, however, only the growth rate reached the same high level, whereas the circumnutations were weak. These results showed that in the light stage the stem circumnutation was downregulated more strongly than the growth. Short-term stem responses to darkening and illumination were a further display of the relation between growth and circumnutations. Switching off the light caused an increase in the growth and circumnutation rate. In some cases it was accompanied by changes in the rotation direction. On the other hand, switching the light on caused an immediate transient (several-minute long) decrease in the growth rate resulting in stem contraction, and this was accompanied by an almost complete pause of circumnutation. Additionally, under light, there occurred a subsequent decrease in the magnitude, disturbance of circumnutation trajectory and, in some cases, changes in the direction of rotation. The observed stem contraction and disturbance of circumnutation imply the occurrence of turgor changes in sunflower stem, which may be caused by a non-wounding, darkening or illumination stimulus. Our experiments indicate that the disturbances of the growth rate are accompanied by changes in circumnutation parameters but we have also seen that there is no simple quantitative relation between growth rate and circumnutation rate.

Ethylene stimulates nutations that are dependent on the ETR1 receptor

Ethylene influences a number of processes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) through the action of five receptors. In this study, we used high-resolution, time-lapse imaging to examine the long-term effects of ethylene on growing, etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. These measurements revealed that ethylene stimulates nutations of the hypocotyls with an average delay in onset of over 6 h. The nutation response was constitutive in ctr1-2 mutants maintained in air, whereas ein2-1 mutants failed to nutate when treated with ethylene. Ethylene-stimulated nutations were also eliminated in etr1-7 loss-of-function mutants. Transformation of the etr1-7 mutant with a wild-type genomic ETR1 transgene rescued the nutation phenotype, further supporting a requirement for ETR1. Loss-of-function mutations in the other receptor isoforms had no effect on ethylene-stimulated nutations. However, the double ers1-2 ers2-3 and triple etr2-3 ers2-3 ein4-4 loss-of-function mutants constitutively nutated in air. These results support a model where all the receptors are involved in ethylene-stimulated nutations, but the ETR1 receptor is required and has a contrasting role from the other receptor isoforms in this nutation phenotype. Naphthylphthalamic acid eliminated ethylene-stimulated nutations but had no effect on growth inhibition caused by ethylene, pointing to a role for auxin transport in the nutation phenotype.

Circadian rhythm of circumnutation in inflorescence stems of Arabidopsis

We investigate the modulation of circumnutation in inflorescence stems of Arabidopsis to determine the circadian regulation of circumnutation. Under constant light conditions (LL), circumnutation speed in wild-type plants fluctuates, with the phase of the highest speed at subjective dawn; the period length is close to 24 h. toc1 appears to shorten the period and elf3 causes an arrhythmic phenotype in circumnutation speed in LL, suggesting that a common circadian clock may control both circumnutation speed and other circadian outputs. These results highlight for the first time a role for a circadian clock in the regulation of circumnutation based on genetic analysis of Arabidopsis.

Circumnutation of rice coleoptiles: its occurrence, regulation by phytochrome, and relationship with gravitropism

It has been found that coleoptiles of dark-grown rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings undergo regular circumnutation in circular orbits with periods of about 180 min. Both clockwise and counter-clockwise movements were observed, but individual coleoptiles continued to rotate only in one direction. Light-grown seedlings did not show circumnutation. In fact, dark-grown seedlings were found to cease circumnutating in response to a pulse of red light (R). This light-induced inhibition of circumnutation was demonstrated to involve both a FR-inducible very-low-fluence response, solely mediated by phytochrome A, and a FR-reversible low-fluence response, mediated by phytochrome B and/or C. The R-induced inhibition of circumnutation showed temporal agreement with the R-induced inhibition of coleoptile growth, suggesting that the former results from the latter. However, about 25% of growth activity remained after R treatment, indicating that circumnutation is more specifically regulated by phytochrome. The R-treated coleoptile showed gravitropism. Investigation of the growth differential for gravitropic curvature revealed that gravitropic responsiveness was rather enhanced by R. The results suggested that gravitropism is not a cause of circumnutation. It remained probable, however, that gravity perception is a part of the mechanism of circumnutation. It is speculated that the circumnutation investigated aids the seedling shoot in growing through the soil.

Seeing is believing: imaging techniques to monitor plant health

Historically, early stress-induced changes in plants have been mainly detected after destructive sampling followed by biochemical and molecular determinations. Imaging techniques that allow immediate detection of stress-situations, before visual symptoms appear and adverse effects become established, are emerging as promising tools for crop yield management. Such monitoring approaches can also be applied to screen plant populations for mutants with increased stress tolerance. At the laboratory scale, different imaging methods can be tested and one or a combination best suited for crop surveillance chosen. The system of choice can be applied under controlled laboratory conditions to guide selective sampling for the molecular characterisation of rapid stress-induced changes. Such an approach permits to isolate presymptomatically induced genes, or to obtain a panoramic view of early gene expression using gene-arrays when plants undergo physiological changes undetected by the human eye. Using this knowledge, plants can be engineered to be more stress resistant, and tested for field performance by the same methodologies. In ongoing efforts of genome characterisation, genes of unknown function are revealed at an ever-accelerating pace. By monitoring changes in phenotypic characteristics of transgenic plants expressing those genes, imaging techniques could help to identify their function.

Circadian dysfunction causes aberrant hypocotyl elongation patterns in Arabidopsis

Many endogenous and environmental signals control seedling growth, including several phototransduction pathways. We demonstrate that the circadian clock controls the elongation of the Arabidopsis hypocotyl immediately upon germination. The pattern of hypocotyl elongation in constant light includes a daily growth arrest spanning subjective dawn and an interval of rapid growth at subjective dusk. Maximal hypocotyl growth coincides with the phase during which the cotyledons are raised, in the previously described rhythm of cotyledon movement. The rhythm of hypocotyl elongation was entrained by light-dark cycles applied to the imbibed seed and its period was shortened in the toc1-1 mutant, indicating that it is controlled by a similar circadian system to other rhythmic markers. The daily groth arrest is abolished by the early flowering 3 (elf3) mutation, suggesting that this defect may cause its long-hypocotyl phenotype. Mutations that affect the circadian system can therefore cause gross morphological phenotypes, not because the wild-type gene functions pleiotropically in several signalling pathways, but rather because the circadian clock exerts wide-spread control over plant physiology.