Chin J Plant Ecol ›› 2025, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (4): 638-652.DOI: 10.17521/cjpe.2024.0075  cstr: 32100.14.cjpe.2024.0075

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of growth regulators on photosynthetic characteristics of Rhizophora stylosa seedlings under low temperature stress and re-warming

OUYANG Zi-Long1,2,3,4, JIA Xiang-Lu1,2,3,4, SHI Jing-Zhong4, TENG Wei-Chao4, LIU Xiu1,*()   

  1. 1Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China
    2Nanning Botanical Garden, Nanning 530002, China
    3Nanning Qingxiu Mountain Scenic Spots Tourism Development Co., Ltd., Nanning 530004, China
    4College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
  • Received:2024-03-15 Accepted:2024-08-23 Online:2025-04-20 Published:2025-04-18
  • Contact: LIU Xiu
  • Supported by:
    Guangxi Key Research and Development Project(Guike AB24010288);Guangxi Forestry Science and Technology Promotion Demonstration Project(Guike [2021] 1)

Abstract:

Aims Rhizophora stylosa plays a crucial role in coastal plant ecosystems, contributing to environmental pollution remediation, coastline stabilization, and water quality purification and filtration. Cold stress poses a significant challenge to breeding efforts in the modern era, impeding the normal growth of R. stylosa seedlings and consequently impacting the regeneration and distribution patterns of R. stylosa communities. Growth regulators can improve plant stress resistance. Revealing the alleviating effect of growth regulators on photosynthetic characteristics of R. stylosa under low temperature stress could provide a scientific basis and theoretical guidance for the cultivation, the low temperature prevention and control of R. stylosa.

Methods In this study, the effects of growth regulators on R. stylosa seedlings were investigated by comparing the photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids) content and photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, transpiration rate) of R. stylosa seedlings under low temperature stress and rewarming.

Important findings 1) Low temperature stress inhibited the photosynthetic process of R. stylosa seedlings by significantly declining the photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameters. 2) Adding appropriate concentrations of growth regulators alleviated the low temperature inhibition, promoted the rewarming effect, and improved the photosynthetic process of R. stylosa. 3) Excessive concentrations of growth regulators (150 mg·L-1 NAA) led to the aggravation of low temperature stress in R. stylosa seedlings, which highlighted the extreme importance to screen appropriate species and concentrations. 4) Principal component analysis showed that biennial R. stylosa seedlings had stronger low temperature resistance than annual R. stylosa seedlings. 5) Combining with membership function analysis, 100 and 200 mg·L-1 GA3, 150 mg·L-1 IAA, 400 mg·L-1 6-BA, and 50 mg·L-1 NAA had better effects on R. stylosa seedlings under low temperature stress and rewarming.

Key words: growth regulator, Rhizophora stylosa, photosynthetic characteristics, low temperature stress, rewarming, mitigation effect