Comparative Analysis of Four Pleione Species Based on Photosynthesis Characteristics

Purpose In order to explore the suitable cultivation environment of Pleione.

Method The mature leaves of P. bulbocodioides, P. forrestii, P. formosana and P. aurita were used to analyze the photosynthetic characteristics such as light compensation point, light saturationpoint, apparent quantum efficiency, CO₂ compensation point, maximum carboxylation rate, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters et al. through LI-6400 portable photosynthesis apparatus, SPAD-502 PLUS chlorophyll meter and OS-5p portable pulse-modulated chlorophyll fluorescence instruments in this research.

Result (1) According to the lower light compensation points P. bulbocodioides and P. formosana had the characteristics of shade plants. (2) P. bulbocodioides and P. formosana with relatively higher light saturated point and maximum net photosynthetic rate had the most wide range of light adaptation. (3) Combined the maximum carboxylation rate of the four plants which ranged from 15 to 40 μmol/(m²·s) with their relatively lower light saturation point and net photosynthetic rate, the four plants showed lower productivity potential. (4) P. bulbocodioides had the relatively higher photosynthetic capacity but the lowest chlorophyll content, indicated no significant correlation between chlorophyll content and photosynthetic capacity. (5) P. forrestii came to photoinhibition when the photosynthetically active radiation irradiated on the plants more than 300 μmol/(m²·s), which may related to its narrowed ecological amplitude.

Conclusion Based on the results of this study and the natural environmental conditions in the wild, cultivation conditions can be adjusted to improve the quality of the genus of Pleione.