Physiological Differences of Ilex rotunda and Illicium anisatum under Low Light Intensities

We examined seedlings of two species (Ilex rotunda and Illicium anisatum) which have a different level of shade tolerance and raised them under different light regimes (full sunlight and 50% shading). After 12 months, we investigated chlorophyll content (Chl. a, Chl. b and Chl. a+b), photosynthetic systems (photosynthetic rate, light compensation point, dark respiration rate and quantum yield), intercellular concentration and water use efficiency to show acclimation reaction to different light conditions. Seedlings grown under full sunlight showed lower chlorophyll content than those in the shading regime. There was a significant difference between the full sunlight and shade treatments in I. anisatum (shade tolerance species). I. rotunda (intermediate species) showed high photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency over PPFD to full sunlight. Also, I. anisatum grown under full sunlight showed lower photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency over a range of all PPFD. This result showed that I. rotunda has a more flexible reaction system than that of I. anisatum.