Photosynthesistic Characteristics and Shade Tolerance of Several Small Potted Ornamental Plants

The photosynthetic characteristics and shade tolerance,including morphological characteristics of plant leaves,diurnal variation of the photosynthesis and light response curve,of seven kinds of common small potted ornamental plants were studied.The results showed:The total chlorophyll content of the 7 tested species had a big difference with Chl a/Chl b value ranged between 1.66 and 2.10.Pn,Tr of Ficus microcarpa was significantly higher than other varieties,Pn of Spathiphyllumnb spfloribund,Epipremnum aureum and Coffea arabica were not significantly different,and Pn,Tr of Dieffenbachia amoena cv.camilla and Peperomia obtusifolia was significantly lower than other varieties.Correlation analysis showed that:Pn and Ci of the 7 ornamental species were significantly related.All results indicated that the 7 tested species had a strong ability to use and adapt to low light.Ficus microcarpa had a strong shade tolerance,a wide light ecological amplitude from,shade-tolerance to strong solar radiation.Peperomia obtusifolia and Dieffenbachia amoena cv.camilla had a relatively weak shade tolerance while.they could make better use of soil moisture.