Photosynthetic characteristics for fifteen potted seedlings common to Zhejiang Province

Abstract

To compare the light adaptation and shade tolerance of 15 different tree species，and to provide development bases for tree species in the vegetative recovery process，diurnal changes of photosynthesis and light response characteristics for Castanopsis sclerophylla，Schima superba，Elaeocarpus decipiens，Sapium sebiferum，Lithocarpus harlandii，Lithocarpus glaber，Phoebe chekiangensis，Quercus phillyraeoides， Podocarpus nagi，Pinus massoniana，Metasequoia glyptostroboides，Taxus chinensis，Photinia fraseri，Lespedeza formosa，and Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum were measured by Li-6400 portable photosynthesis system in the autumn of 2010. Then，light use efficiency of the 15 potted seedlings was determined. Results showed that：1） the diurnal process of the net photosynthetic rate （Pn） for the 15 potted seedlings had a single-peak with no midday depression. 2） Peak light use efficiency，by tree type，was higher for Lithocarpus harlandii （in broadleaf），T. chinensis （in coniferous），and Lespedeza formosa （in shrubs）. 3） C. sclerophylla had the highest light saturation point （LSP），whereas Phoebe chekiangensis had the lowest；Pinus massoniana had the highest light compensation point （LCP），and T. chinensis had the lowest. 4） The cluster analysis for LSP and LCP showed that Quercus phillyraeoides and Pinus massoniana were strong positive species；C. sclerophylla，Lespedeza formosa，M. glyptostroboides，and Lithocarpus harlandii belonged to the positive species; and the remaining nine species were classified as shade-tolerant tree species. These results provided development bases for tree species in the vegetative recovery process and community structure optimization for the hilly area of Zhejiang Province.［Ch，5 fig. 1 tab. 16 ref.］