EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SHADING TREATMENTS ON CHLOROPHYLL AND GROWTH OF SIX THEACEAE SPECIES

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of different shading treatments on chlorophyll(Chl) and growth of six theaceae species.The results indicated that the content of chlorophyll a(Chl.a),chlorophyll b(Chl.b) and total chlorophyll in Camellia hongkongensis leaves were identical with Camellia magmocarpa under different shades,the test showed that 70% shading treatment 50% shading treatment Full sunlight in turn.This revealed that their shade tolerance are of fairly amplitude.The content of chlorophyll a(Chl.a),chlorophyll b(Chl.b) and total chlorophyll in Camellia changii leaves showed that 50% shading treatment 70% shading treatment ≈ Full sunlight,The content of chlorophyll a(Chl.a),chlorophyll b(Chl.b) and total chlorophyll in Gordonia hainanensis leaves showed that 50% shading treatment 70% shading treatment Full sunlight.Chl a and Chl b content of Tutcheria hirta and Camellia amplexicaulis showed 70% shading treatment 50% shading treatment in turn.The test revealed that Camellia changii,Gordonia hainanensis and Tutcheria hirta as well as Camellia amplexicaulis are shade tolerant and photophobic.The survival rate and growth mass of Theaceae are generally higher when the plant grown in shading than full sunlight.We suggested that50% shading treatment and 70% shading treatment were of significant benefit to improve the survival rate and the biomass for six theaceae species,however,full sunlight do certain harm to their survival and growth.It turn out that theaceae species are neutral or even shade tolerant