The internal clock briefly changes its cycle length and is needed to time nighttime processes in Arabidopsis plants

A circadian period that aligns with the day-night cycle is crucial for predicting dawn and timing nocturnal events.

• Circadian rhythms in land plants have measurable benefits when matched to the environmental day-night cycle.
• The Arabidopsis circadian oscillator demonstrates short-term plasticity in response to changes in light : dark cycle durations.
• When the circadian period does not align with the environmental period, the anticipation of dawn and dusk is affected.
• Alterations in the oscillator dynamics occur during the transition from light : dark cycles to free-running conditions.
• Mathematical models support the observation of transient changes in the circadian period within the Arabidopsis network.

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