To determine light requirement and adaptability of Fraxinus mandshurica seedlings, the seasonal variations of photosynthetic variables were measured in 3-year-old seedlings grown under four light levels (100%, 60%, 30%, and 15% of full sunlight) with a LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system. The leaf chlorophyll content, special leaf weight, annual height and basal diameter increment of seedlings were also observed. The maximum and minimum values of net photosynthetic rate, maximum rate of carboxylation, and maximum rate of electron transport of F. mandshurica seedlings were detected with 60% and 15% of full sunlight treatments, respectively. With the decrease of light level, both light saturation point and special leaf weight significantly declined (p < 0.05), but leaf chlorophyll content significantly increased (p <0.05). Annual height and basal diameter increments of seedlings grown under 60% of full sunlight treatment were significantly greater than those of seedlings under other treatments (p < 0.05). It was concluded that F. mandshurica seedlings can adapt to a wide range of light environments from 15% to 100% of full sunlight by adjusting light saturation point, leaf chlorophyll content and special leaf weight. According to the maximum of relative growth, 60% of full sunlight treatment is the optimum light level for the growth of 3-year-old F. mandshurica seedlings.
WANG KaiZHU Jiao-junYAN Qiao-lingYU Li-zhongSUN Yi-rong
As one of the three major five-leaved pines in the northern hemisphere,Pinus koraiensis is the most important dominant tree species in the natural mixed-broadleaved Korean pine forests.However,the regeneration of P.koraiensis under the canopy of secondary forest stands is poor because of the light limitation.This study was conducted to understand how P.koraiensis seedlings adapt to different light intensities and what would be the optimum light level for their establishment and growth.Three repetition plots with four light intensities(15%,30%,60%and 100%of the natural incident irradiances,achieved by suspending layers of black nylon net above and surrounding the plots)were set up under natural climate conditions in a montane region in eastern Liaoning Province,Northeast China.A total of 80 P.koraiensis seedlings with similar height and root collar diameter were transplanted into four plots.After one year of acclimation to the specific light conditions,the seasonal variations of the photosynthetic variables and needle traits of the current and one-year-old needles,and the growth parameters were observed under four light intensities.The results indicated that:(1)The seedling at60%treatment exhibited the greatest growth,which agreed with the response of the light-saturated photosynthetic rates(Amax)and the dark respiration rate(Rd)in the current and one-year-old needles,i.e.,Rd at60%treatment was significantly lower than that at 100%treatment,but Amax did not differ between the seedlings at 100%and 60%treatments.(2)The P.koraiensis seedlings have a certain photosynthetic plasticity to adapt the light conditions by adjusting their needle traits and regulating the physiological processes,because Amax,Rd,light saturation point and compensation point,the needle mass area,needle nitrogen and chlorophyll contents were significantly(p<0.05)correlated with the light intensities.Especially,Amax at 100%and 60%treatments was significantly higher(p<0.05)than that at 30%and 15%treatments for both current and one-year-old needles
