Originally Posted by Splifted
I highly doubt it. Yield is directly correlated to a few factors: genetics, light intensity (during the light phase), proper nutes, co2, etc. The dark period is just a time without light letting the plant know it should flower, but the darkness itself doesn't actually affect yield. At least thats my thoughts on that, I dunno for sure. You can get some amazing plants having complete darkness during your dark cycle, just look at 99% of the grows posted on this site. I say if its not broke don't fix it.
And we're not trying to replicate nature in an indoor grow, we're trying to get max yield in shortest time, something nature can't accomplish. If you're going to try and imitate nature, you should let tons of bugs in your room, maybe knock your plants over with a leaf blower to imitate a severe storm during the growing season, etc. Growing indoors isn't an attempt to replicate nature, its an attempt to provide your plants with IDEAL conditions, which are seldom, if ever, found naturally.