Sure it does,it slows the plants metabolism to better intake nutrients,and to push all of the cells to do what the nutes are telling it to do.Although you will hear opinions that differ,this is mine,based on 18 yrs. of experience
I personally like the 20/4 light schedule than moving to 18/6 2 weeks or so before flowering them. 24/0 doesn't allow for proper root growth many have argued. all opinions as stated above.
true that,I also will use a 20/4 for clones,they root in 5 to 8 days,as opposed to 10-14 under 24/0.But only my clones,my seedlings still get 24/0 for the first week.