ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Light Stress Conditions on the Growth
of Rhododendron schlippenbachii Saplings
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1
College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin Jilin 132013, People’s Republic of China
2
Key Lab of State Forestry Administration on Conservation and Efficient Utilization of Precious
and Rare Forest Resources in Changbai Mountain, Jilin Jilin 132013, People’s Republic of China
3
Jilin Forestry and Grassland Changbai Mountain Special Scenic Plant Engineering Technology Research Center,
Jilin Jilin 132013, People’s Republic of China
4
Jilin City Landscape Management Center, Jilin Jilin 132013, People’s Republic of China
5
Jilin City Forest Tree Seedling Administration Station, Jilin Jilin 132013, People’s Republic of China
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-09-26
Final revision date: 2025-11-11
Acceptance date: 2025-11-24
Online publication date: 2026-03-04
Corresponding author
Zhihui Yu
College of Forestry, Beihua University, Jilin Jilin 132013, People’s Republic of China
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Light is a critical factor influencing the survival and growth of saplings. Rhododendron
schlippenbachii, an ornamental species endemic to Changbai Mountain in China, has been classified
as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, the optimal light
intensity for its growth remains unclear. To determine this, we conducted a comprehensive investigation
into the adaptation mechanisms of morphological growth, diurnal variations in photosynthesis,
chlorophyll fluorescence, physiological indicators, and stomatal ultrastructure of Rhododendron
schlippenbachii saplings under four light intensities (full light: CK; 70% light: L1; 50% light: L2;
30% light: L3) over a continuous 90-day shading period. The results demonstrated that under L3,
the leaf morphological growth of Rhododendron schlippenbachii saplings was significantly greater
than that of other treatments. As shading duration increased, saplings in the full-light treatment group
experienced complete mortality. The highest values for Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, and NPQ, as well as the peak
chlorophyll content, were observed in saplings subjected to 70% shading. Conversely, the lowest
concentrations of proline (PRO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and soluble protein (SP) were also recorded
under this condition. Activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase
(POD) did not exhibit significant differences across various shading treatments. It was observed
that the protective effect was significantly enhanced by antioxidant enzymes under 70% shade
conditions; shading reduced osmoregulatory substances while increasing chlorophyll content.
The stomatal length, width, conductivity, and net photosynthesis rate of the 30% light treatment surpassed
those under full-light conditions after 60 days of shading. Consequently, this study demonstrated that a 70% shade treatment represents the optimal level of light radiation for the growth of Rhododendron
schlippenbachii saplings.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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