title: Masking in plants.
abstract: Circadian rhythms in plants are liable to masking, i.e. alterations by environmental influencing agents. Experiments have been reported for both positive and negative masking, attributed to a Zeitgeber which may either increase or decrease the amplitude of a circadian rhythm (CR). In some instances, the CR may even be unexpressed. This inhibition, however, may be alleviated by synchronizing agents. Reports are also available for changes in the shape or pattern of an oscillation. The latter may be prevented, at least in Acetabularia in certain conditions, by a phytohormone antagonist. Masking may also be brought about by water stress, relative humidity, bacterial infection and alteration in the relative direction of the gravitational force. Finally, subjecting plants to constant conditions, particularly continuous light, alters the physiological state of the organism.
authors.affiliation: Département de Biologie moléculaire, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vanden Driessche
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Guisset
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gaspar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kevers
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Koukkari
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004777:Environment; D008027:Light; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena