Response of Photosynthesis and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters of Castanopsis kawakamii Seedlings to Forest Gaps

Light is a major environmental factor limiting the growth and survival of plants. The heterogeneity of the light environment after gap formation in forest influences the leaf chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and chlorophyll fluorescence, thus influencing the growth and regeneratio...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forests 2020-01, Vol.11 (1), p.21
Main Authors: He, Zhong-sheng, Tang, Rong, Li, Meng-jia, Jin, Meng-ran, Xin, Cong, Liu, Jin-fu, Hong, Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptability
Adaptation
c. kawakamii seedlings
Canopy gaps
Castanopsis
Chlorophyll
chlorophyll fluorescence
Efficiency
Endangered & extinct species
Environmental factors
Flowers & plants
Fluorescence
forest gaps and non-gaps
Forests
Heterogeneity
Light
Light intensity
Luminous intensity
Photosynthesis
Plant growth
Population
Regeneration
Seedlings
Tomatoes
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Light is a major environmental factor limiting the growth and survival of plants. The heterogeneity of the light environment after gap formation in forest influences the leaf chlorophyll contents, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and chlorophyll fluorescence, thus influencing the growth and regeneration of Castanopsis kawakamii seedlings. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of weak light on the photosynthetic physiology of C. kawakamii seedlings in forest gaps and non-gaps. The results showed that (1) the contents of chlorophyll a (Chl-a), chlorophyll b (Chl-b), and total chlorophyll (Chl-T) in forest gaps were lower than in non-gaps. Seedlings tended to increase chlorophyll content to absorb light energy to adapt to low light intensity in non-gap environments. (2) The Pn values of C. kawakamii seedlings in forest gaps were significantly higher than in non-gaps, and forest gaps could improve the seedlings’ photosynthetic capacity. (3) The C. kawakamii seedlings in forest gaps were more sensitive to weak light and control group treatment, especially the tall seedlings, indicating that seedlings require more light to satisfy their growth needs in the winter. The seedlings in non-gaps demonstrated better adaptability to low light intensity. The light intensity was not adequate in weak light conditions and limited seedling growth. We suggest that partial forest selection cutting could improve light intensity in non-gaps, thus promoting seedling growth and regeneration of C. kawakamii more effectively in this forest.
ISSN:1999-4907
1999-4907
DOI:10.3390/f11010021