Effects of Temperature and Light Intensity on the Growth of Scrophularia Marilandica

Abstract

The effects of temperature and light intensity on the growth of Scrophularia marilandica L. were studies under artificial, semi—natural, and natural environmental conditions. The plants in the controlled environment rooms were grown under 10 different combinations of temperature (48°/58°—63°/73°F) and light intensity (24—123 cal/cm2/day). The plants in the semi—natural experiment were grown outdoors on prepared plots representing seven levels of average radiation ranging from 20.4 to 405.7 cal/cm2/day. Net assimilation rate (NAR) was proportional to light intensity up to 123 cal/cm2/day in the growth rooms. In the semi—natural studies, it was proportional up to 150 cal/cm2/day and from this point up to 300 cal/cm2/day, NAR increased but not proportionally. Above 300 cal/cm2/day NAR was independent of solar radiation. Under controlled conditions NAR decreased slightly with age at the highest light levels. The length of the vegetative phase, the specific leaf area, and the leaf—area ratio were sharply decreased at higher light intensities. The dry weight of all plant organs was augmented by high light intensities. Roots and axillary shoots were especially sensitive. In the growth—room experiments, temperature effects were more pronounced than were light effects. Stem elongation was completely inhibited at temperature regimes below 63°/73°F, and leaf expansion was markedly diminished below 57°/68°F. Consequently the shoot developed a rosette habit and flowering was inhibited. Decreases in temperature to 48°/58°F had little effect of root growth. The net effect of low temperatures was to depress the shoot—root ratio. However, NAR was increased by a reduction in temperature from 63°/73° to 48°/58° at all intensities. The shoot—root ratio of shaded plants was increased to a greater extent by a rise in temperature than was that of the unshaded plants. Regardless of light level, plants at 48°/58°F consistently had a smaller shoot—root ratio than did those at 63°/73°F. Inhibition of stem elongation and subsequent rosette development at low temperatures were not affected by changes in light intensity. The usual development of greater leaf areas by plants growing under lower light intensities was partially reversed at low temperatures. In early spring shoots of native Scrophularia marilandica sprouted from crown buds attached to perennial roots. The timing differential between leaf expansion in April and shoot elongation in May appears to be a temperature—photoperiod interaction. In early spring and autumn cool temperatures which repressed shoot growth had little effect on root growth. Roots increased greatly in size through late summer into early autumn.