Morpho-physiological response of Solanum macrocarpon L. seedlings to different light intensities

Damilola Grace Ogunrotimi and Joshua Kayode

Abstract
Seedlings of Solanum macrocarpon L. were transplanted into experimental pots containing 3 kg soil and placed under different levels of solar radiation to investigate their response to light intensities. The growth parameters revealed that seedlings under direct sunlight performed better than the ones under shade of mesh net. The plants growing under the shade had stunted growth and were highly susceptible to leaf abscission compared to those under direct sunlight which produced healthy stem and sturdy leaves. This could suggest S. macrocarpon possess higher tolerance to solar radiation. However, seedlings of under direct sunlight produced higher leaf area, leaf number, plant height and stem diameter than those under shade. High leaf area is important for light interception to allow for photosynthesis. These findings revealed that Solanum macrocarpon grows optimally under direct sunlight.

Keywords
Solanum macrocarpon; Growth; Light; Plant; Seedlings.

DOI
10.21472/bjbs.051024

Full text
PDF

References
Aderounmu, A. F. Silvicultural requirements for regeneration of Vitellaria paradoxa (C. F. Gaertn) Hepper. Ibadan, Nigeria: University of Ibadan, 2010. (Ph.D. Thesis).

Ayeni, M. J.; Ademiluyi, B. O.; Shittu, R. A. Effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth performance of Solanum nigrum L. Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, v. 5, no. 4 p. 1-6, 2016.

Bamigboye, T. O.; Kayode, J. Effect of light intensity on the growth of Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii. International Journal of Biological Papers, v. 1 p. 36-40, 2016.

Bettaieb, I.; Zakhama, N.; Aidi Wannes, W.; Kchouk, M. E.; Marzouk, B. Water deficit effects on Salvia officinalis fatty acids and essential oils composition. Science Horticulturae, v. 120, p. 271-275, 2009.

Bewley, I. D.; Black, M. Seeds physiology of development and germination. 2. ed. New York: Plenum Press 23, 1994.

Bvenura, C.; Afolayan, A. J. Growth and physiological response of Solanum nigrum L. to organic and/or inorganic fertilizers. Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, v. 87, p. 168-174, 2014.

Corell, M.; García, M. C.; Cermeño, P. Effect of the deficit watering in the production and quality of the essential oil, in the cultivation of Salvia officinalis L. Acta Horticulturae, v. 826, p. 281-28, 2009.

Devkota, N. R.; Hogson, J. Shade tolerance of pasture species in relation to deciduous trees. Oikos, v. 91, p. 193-202, 2000.

Gonçalves, J. F. C.; Barreto, D. C. S.; Santos, U. M.; Fernandes, A. V.; Sampaio, P. D. T. B.; Buckeridge, M. S. Growth, photosynthesis and stress indicators in young rosewood plants (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) under different light intensities. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, v. 17, no. 3, p. 325-334, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-04202005000300007

Hangarter, R. P. Gravity, light and plant form. Plant, Cell and Environment, v. 20, p. 796-800, 1997.

Hoddinot, K. T.; Hall, L. M. The responses of photosynthesis and translocation rate to changes in the ratio of light. Canadian Jounal of Botany, v. 60, no. 8, p. 1285-1291, 1982.

Kephart, K. D.; Taylor, S. E. Growth of C3 and C4 perennial under grasses reduced irradiance. Crop Science, v. 32, p. 1033-1038, 1992.

Muraoka, H.; Tang, Y.; Koizumi, H.; Washitani, I. Effects of light and soil water availability on leaf photosynthesis and growth of Arisaema heterophyllum, a riparian forest understorey plant. Journal of Plant Research, v. 115, p. 419-427, 2002.

Ochuodho, J. O.; Modi, A. T. Temperature and light requirements for the germination of Cleome gynandra seeds. South African Journal of Plant and Soil, v. 22, no. 1, p. 49-54, 2005.

Odukoya, O. A.; Inya-Agha, S. I.; Segun, F. I.; Sofidiya, M. O.; Ilori, O. O. Antioxidant activity of selected Nigerian green leafy vegetables. American Journal of Food Technology, v. 2, no. 3, p. 169-175, 2007.

Ologundudu, A. F.; Adelusi, A. A.; Adekoya, K. P. Effect of light stress on germination and growth parameters of Corchorus olitorius, Celosia argentea, Amaranthus cruentus, Abelmoschus esculentus and Delonix regia. Notulae Scientia Biologicae, v. 5, no. 4, p. 468-475, 2013.

Paiva, E. A. S.; Isaias, R. M. S., Vale, F. H. A.; Queiroz, C. G. S. The influence of light intensity on anatomical structure and pigment contents of Tradescantia pallida (Rose) Hunt. cv. purpurea boom (Commelinaceae) leaves. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, v. 46, p. 617-624, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-89132003000400017

Saxena, M. C.; Singh Y. A note on leaf area estimation of intact maize leaves. Indian Journal of Agronomy, v. 10, p. 437-439, 1965.

Sowunmi, L. I.; Afolayan, A. J. Effects of environmental factors and sowing depth on seed germination in Cleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae). Pakistan Journal of Botany, v. 47, no. 6, p. 2189-2193, 2015.

Sysoeva, M. I., Markovskaya, E. F.; Shibaeva, T. G. Plants under continuous light: A review. Plant Stress, v. 4, no. 1, p. 5-17, 2010.

Zervoudakis, G.; Salahas, G.; Kaspiris, G.; Konstantopoulou, E. Influence of light intensity on growth and physiological characteristics of common sage (Salvia officinalis L.). Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, v. 55, no. 1, p. 89-95, 2012.

Zhang, S.; Ma, K.; Chen, L. Response of photosynthetic plasticity of Paeonia suffruticosa to changed light environments. Environmental and Experimental Botany, v. 49, p. 121-133, 2003.