Photoperiodism
Photoperiodism demonstrates that timing decisions should be based on environmental signals, not arbitrary calendars.
The timing determines reproductive success. Get it wrong (flower at wrong season), and your offspring die.
Photoperiodism is day-length sensing that triggers flowering at the optimal season. Short-day plants (like soybeans) flower when night length exceeds a critical threshold (~10 hours of darkness) - optimal for autumn flowering. Long-day plants (spinach, lettuce, wheat) flower when day length exceeds a threshold - optimal for late spring/early summer. Day-neutral plants (tomatoes, corn) flower based on age, not photoperiod. The mechanism involves photoreceptors (phytochrome for red/far-red light, cryptochromes for blue light) coordinated with an internal circadian clock. During darkness, a flowering repressor protein accumulates; if night is long enough, the repressor reaches threshold concentration.
Business Application of Photoperiodism
Photoperiodism demonstrates that timing decisions should be based on environmental signals, not arbitrary calendars. Different businesses require different timing strategies based on their 'season' - some should launch in market upswings (long-day), others in downturns (short-day).