Abstract
Effects of light quality on phenotypic plasticity in Cunninghamialanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. seedlings during growth and development, and the underlying mechanisms, were investigated. The seedlings showed distinct morphological adjustments when exposed to an equal photosynthetic photon flux density (400 μmol·m−2·s−1) of different light qualities: monochromatic blue (BL), monochromatic red (RL), monochromatic far-red (FrL), mixed RL and FrL at 1:1 (RFr1:1L), mixed RL and FrL at 1:2 (RFr1:2L), and multi-wavelength white (WL, control). Compared with WL, FrL and BL significantly promoted height increment. However, BL was unfavorable for root growth. The seedling biomass was lower and the root-to-shoot ratio was smaller under BL. RL promoted leaf area enlargement, root growth, axillary bud number, and increased the root-to-shoot ratio, but inhibited stem elongation. Low R/Fr ratios or increased FrL proportion increased seedling stem elongation. The seedling growth under RFr1:1L treatment was poorer than that under other treatments; however, the number of axillary buds was the highest. The plasticity of leaf morphology traits was lower in different treatments, and that of axillary bud traits was crucial in the adaptation of C. lanceolata to light quality. Precise management of light quality and wavelength in controlled environments may maximize the economic efficiency of forest production and enhance its quality.
Highlights
Introduction iationsThe light environment varies considerably during forest development and succession at both temporal and spatial scales [1,2,3]
Height increment, height-to-diameter ratio and branch length increment of C. lanceolata seedlings was significantly different under different light quality treatments (Figure 1)
Under BL treatment, the diameter increment was relatively low compared with red light (RL) and RL and far-red light (FrL) at 1:2 (RFr1):2L, and was 21.4% lower than that of the seedlings grown under WL
Summary
The light environment varies considerably during forest development and succession at both temporal and spatial scales [1,2,3]. This phenomenon hampers or accelerates plant growth intermittently, especially beneath the forest canopy [4]. Due to the complexity of the forest community structure, as well as the reflection, transmission, and absorption of solar radiation by the forest canopy, the light intensity, spectral composition, and illumination time of sunlight reaching the forest floor through the canopy are considerably changed.
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