Synthetic inhibitor of leaf-closure that reveals the biological importance of leaf-movement for the survival of leguminous plants

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(03)00906-2

Nyctinasty has been known since pre-Christian era, whereas the question 'Why do leguminous plants sleep?' has always puzzled scientists. This paper gives a clue to the historical mystery: by using synthetic inhibitors for nyctinasty, we found that legumes cannot survive without nyctinasty.