Abstract
Insufficient light intensity inhibits the growth of cultivated herbaceous peony and decreases its economic value. Owing to the increased demand for shade-tolerant herbaceous peony, the selection of appropriate parents for hybridization is essential. Paeonia anomala, Paeonia intermedia and Paeonia veitchii can grow under shade conditions in their natural habitats; however, their photosynthetic capacities under shade have not been studied. In this study, we simulated low light intensity (30% sunlight) and evaluated the morphological, photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of these three species. Moreover, the shade tolerance of these species as well as two common cultivars (Paeonia lactiflora ‘Da Fugui’, which is suitable for solar greenhouse cultivation, and P. lactiflora ‘Qiao Ling’, which is not suitable for solar greenhouse cultivation) was evaluated. The results showed that under shade, the leaf area of P. anomala and P. intermedia increased, the single flowering period of P. intermedia and P. veitchii was prolonged, and the flower color of P. veitchii faded. With respect to P. anomala, P. intermedia and P. veitchii, shade eliminated the photosynthetic ‘lunch break’ phenomenon and decreased photoinhibition at midday. Furthermore, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and maximum primary photochemical yield (Fv/Fo) of photosystem II (PSII) in the three species improved significantly, and their changes in light dissipation were different. The shade tolerance of the tested accessions was in the order P. veitchii > P. intermedia > P. anomala > ‘Da Fugui’ > ‘Qiao Ling’, showing that the three wild species were better adapted to low light intensity than the cultivars. Thus, P. anomala, P. intermedia and P. veitchii could potentially be used in the development of shade-tolerant herbaceous peony cultivars.
Highlights
Ornamental crops have high economic value because of the global trade of cut and potted flowers (Chandler & Sanchez, 2012; Prakash, 2007)
P. lactiflora ‘Da Fugui’ (which is suitable for solar greenhouse cultivation; (Han et al, 2014)) and ‘Qiao Ling’, two common cultivars grown in China, were planted and managed as the wild Paeonia species
The single flowering period of P. intermedia and P. veitchii was prolonged by shade, while their flowering rate and flower diameter were not affected (Table 1)
Summary
Ornamental crops have high economic value because of the global trade of cut and potted flowers (Chandler & Sanchez, 2012; Prakash, 2007). Greenhouses have been widely used to produce specific ornamental products at desirable times. Photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of three Paeonia species. The decrease in light intensity in the greenhouse is one of the most important factors affecting growth speed and biomass (Fini et al, 2010; Metsoviti et al, 2020). Judging the shade adaptation or tolerance of plants in the natural environment can help future light adjustment strategies in greenhouses
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