Control over elongation inAvenacoleoptile andPisumepicotyl segments by cyclic far-red light treatment is dependent on the timing of successive irradiations and independent of total energy. The effect of each far-red irradiation in a cycle is cumulative. Maximum efficiency of far-red light in a cycle is obtained when the light treatments follow within 2 to 3 h of each other. Additional increments of elongation may also be obtained by successive red light treatment only when presented at least 8 to 9 h apart. The effect of a single far-red treatment is to establish a maximum rate of elongation which is maintained for no more than 3 h. The results offer support for the hypothesis that low-energy phytochrome mediated responses result from maintenance of low but maximally effective levels of Pfrand that Pfrdestruction is essentially independent of physiological action.