• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2024

This study was conducted to determine the optimal light conditions for the in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration of Osmanthus insularis, a rare plant species in South Korea. Evaluations included the growth performance, leaf morphological features, photosynthetic characteristics, and photosynthetic pigment contents of seedlings grown from April to November under different light conditions (100%, 55%, 20%, and 10% relative light intensity). The shoot lengths and root collar diameters did not differ significantly with relative light intensity. The dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots and the leaf number were highest at 55% relative light intensity. The leaf shape showed morphological acclimation to light intensity, with leaf area decreasing and thickness increasing as the relative light intensity increased. Several leaf parameters, including photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance at light saturation point, net apparent quantum yield, and dark respiration, as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, were all highest at 55% relative light intensity. Under full light conditions, the leaves were the smallest and thickest, but the chlorophyll content was lower than at 55% relative light intensity, resulting in lower photosynthetic ability. Plants grown at 10% and 20% relative light intensity showed lower chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, as well as decreased photosynthetic and dark respiration rates. In conclusion, O. insularis seedlings exhibited morphological adaptations in response to light intensity; however, no physiological responses indicating enhanced photosynthetic efficiency in shade were evident. The most favorable light condition for vigorous photosynthesis and maximum biomass production in O. insularis seedlings appeared to be 55% relative light intensity. Therefore, shading to approximately 55% of full light is suggested for the growth of O. insularis seedlings.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.404-415
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• 2020

We investigated the seasonal variations in growth and physiological responses of the kelp species Ecklonia cava to different nitrogen sources to establish indoor culture conditions for mass production. Ecklonia cava was cultivated for 10 days in 16 combinations of seawater temperatures (15, 17, 21, and 25℃) and different nitrogen sources (control; NH-NH₄⁺ 100 μM; NO-NO₃^- 100 μM; and NHNO-NH₄⁺ 50 μM+NO₃^- 50 μM). The growth and growth rate of the blade were affected by temperature. The mean fresh weight and area-based daily growth rate were the highest (5.8±0.5 and 6.6±0.5% day^-1, respectively) at 15℃ and the lowest (2.2±0.2 and 3.0±0.3% day^-1, respectively) at 25℃. The daily growth rate was the highest in the NH and NO treatments and lowest in the control. The nitrate reductase activity of E. cava varied with water temperature (season). The highest activity was in the control (1.32±0.10 μmol NO₂^- g^-1 dry weight h^-1) and the lowest was in the NH treatment (0.25±0.02 μmol NO₂^- g^-1 dry weight h^-1). The photosynthetic pigment concentrations reached a maximum value in the NHNO treatment and a minimum value in the control. These results showed that water temperature played an important role in the cultivation of E. cava and that a single supply of NH₄⁺ or NO₃^- may induce the accelerated growth of E. cava. The growth and physiological responses of E. cava to different nitrogen sources during each season provide valuable information for determining the optimal nitrogen source in E. cava cultivation under indoor conditions.