The effect of low light intensity and temperature on growth of Schefflera arboricola in interior landscapes
2007
Kubatsch, A. | Gruneberg, H. | Ulrichs, C.
Schefflera arboricola was held in light- and temperature-controlled chambers for 6 months under three light intensities of 10 micromol.m(-2).s(-1), 20 micromol.m(-2).s(-1), and 80 micromol.m(-2).s(-1) measured as photon flux density (PFD). Plants also received three temperature regimes: 15 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 25 degrees C. Reduced light intensity significantly decreased fresh and dry weight and increased chlorophyll content, but did not affect leaf thickness and palisade and spongy mesophyll parenchyma. High temperatures reduced fresh weight and significantly increased chlorophyll content and leaf thickness. The authors conclude that reduced photosynthetic energy flow at low light intensities (10 micromol.m(-2).s(-1), 20 micromol.m(-2).s(-1)) could not be buffered by a downregulation of energy-consuming processes. Therefore the life span and quality of S. arboricola is reduced at such PFD values, especially at higher temperatures. Plants lose their marketability within 6 months.
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