Photosynthetical and Ecophysiological Characteristics of <i>Illicium lanceolatum</i> Seedlings for Different Provenances

Abstract

The photosynthetic ecophysiological characters of 4 different Illicium lanceolatum provenances in three different growth seasons were measured. The results showed that significant differences of photosynthesis were existed among provenances and their growth seasons. 1) In the early growth period, the decreasing order of the mean daily net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of 4 provenances were Lin’an (LA), Nan’ping (NP), Kai’hua (KH), and Wu’ning (WN) provenance and the order of mean daily transpiration rate (Tr) were LA, KH, NP and WN. In the prosperous growth period, the mean daily Pn ranked as in the decreasing order of WN, KH, LA and NP, and that of mean daily Tr were WN, KH, NP and LA. In the late growth period, the decreasing order of mean daily Pn were LA, KH, WN and NP. 2) I.lanceolatum had the obvious seasonal difference in the average value of Pn and Tr and that was ranked in decreasing order as flourishing growth period>early growth period >late growth period. 3) The path coefficient analysis indicated that the decreasing orders of important factors which affected Pn were temperature of leaf (Tleaf ), internal CO2 concentration (Ci), difference of saturation of water vapor (Vpdl), Tr, stomatal conductance (Cond), temperature of air (Tair)and air CO2 concentration of (Ca).