Leaf morphology, structure, and function of Camellia oleifera (Abel) under different light regimes

Camellia oleifera (Abel) is widely planted for oil extraction in southern China. The light intensity of 10-years-old plants of C. oleifera was set as LL (152 p.mol m(-2) under low full light intensity), ML (826 p.mol m(-2) s(-1), under moderate full light intensity), and HL (1,181 mai m(-2) under high full light intensity). The morphological, structural, and photosynthetic physiological parameters of their functional leaves were determined to clarify their physiological response characteristics under three light regimes. The leaf area and perimeter (LA and LP), specific leaf area (SLA), and thickness of C. oleifera as well as the chlorophyll content, stomatal density, and palisade tissue thickness (PT) reached the maximum values under ML. The leaf palisade tissue thickness and spongy tissue thickness had minimum values under LL. The light-saturation point (LSP), maximum net photosynthetic rate (P-nmax), and apparent quantum yield (AQY) showed the highest values under ML. The minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state (F-0), maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F-v/F-m), and potential rate of electron transport (ETR) showed the lowest values under LL and HL. In general, ML was found to be the most suitable light habitat for C. oleifera growth. This work provides cultivar adaptability for the compound management of C. oleifera in forest.