Effects of light quality and quantity on growth of the clonal plant Eichhornia crassipes

Summary Plant canopy shade reduces photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and ratio of red to far-red light (z). Both effects can cause plants to increase potential for light acquisition through vertical growth and leaf area expansion. Clonal plants such as Eichhornia crassipes might alternatively increase light interception via horizontal growth of stolons or rhizomes and placement of new ramets in less shaded microsites. Effect of simulated canopy shade and component effects of PPFD and z were tested by filtering or adding light uniformly, to a whole group of connected ramets, or locally, to individual ramets within a group. In uniform treatments, low PPFD reduced total growth but low z did not. Low PPFD and low z independently reduced stolon and ramet production and caused etiolation of petioles; effect of low PPFD plus low z on ramet production was greater than that of either factor alone. Lateral clonal growth thus did not seem to be a response to uniform shading; instead, uniformly low PPFD or low z increased partitioning to established ramets. Low z changed partitioning without changing total growth. In local treatments, reduction of growth of individual ramets due to low PPFD and inhibition of new ramet production attributable to spectral composition of light were mitigated when connected ramets were unshaded; plants may respond differently to patchy than to uniform shade.     

Rapid, reversible alterations in spinach thylakoid appression upon changes in light intensity

Changes in light quantity and quality cause structural changes within the thylakoid membrane; long‐term responses have been described for so‐called ‘sun’ and ‘shade’ leaves. Many leaves, however, experience changes in irradiance on a time scale of minutes due to self‐shading and sun flecks. In this study, mature, attached spinach leaves were grown at 300 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1 then rapidly switched to a different light treatment. The treatment irradiances were 10, 800 or 1500 µmol m^?2 s^?1 for 10 min, or 10 or 20 min of self‐shading (about 10 µmol m^?2 s^?1). Image analysis of transmission electron micrographs revealed that a 10 min switch to a lower light intensity increased grana size and number per chloroplast profile by 10–20%. Returning the leaves to 300 µmol m^?2 s^?1 for 10 min reversed the phenomenon. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements of detached, intact leaves at 77 K were suggestive of a transition from state 2 to state 1 upon shading. Diurnal ultrastructural measurements of granal size and number did not reveal a significant net change in ultrastructure over the time scale of hours. It is concluded that spinach chloroplasts can alter the degree of thylakoid appression in response to irradiance changes on a time scale of minutes. These ultrastructural responses are caused by biochemical and biophysical adjustments within the thylakoid membrane that serve to maximize photosynthesis and minimize photo‐inhibition under rapidly fluctuating light environments.     

Shade-induced changes in the branching pattern of a stoloniferous herb: functional response or allometric effect?

Shade-induced changes in the branching pattern of clonal plants can lead to conspicuous modifications of their growth form and architecture. It has been hypothesized that reduced branching in shade may be an adaptive trait, enabling clonal plants to escape from unfavourable patches in a heterogeneous environment by allocating resources preferentially to the growth of the main axis (i.e. linear expansion), rather than to local proliferation by branching. However, such an adaptionist interpretation may be unjustified if (1) branching frequency is a function of the ontogenetic stage of plants, and if (2) shading slows down the ontogenetic development of plants, thereby delaying branch formation. In this case, architectural differences between sun- and shade-grown individuals, harvested at the same chronological age, may not represent a functional response to changes in light conditions, but may be a by-product of effects of shade on the rate of plant development. To distinguish between these two alternatives, individuals of the stoloniferous herb Potentilla reptans were subjected to three experimental light conditions: a control treatment providing full daylight, and two shade treatments: neutral shade (13% of ambient PPFD; no changes in light spectral composition) and simulated canopy shade (13% PPFD and a reduced red:far-red ratio). Plant development was followed throughout the experiment by daily monitoring primary stolon growth as well as branch and leaf initiation. Biomass and clonal offspring production were measured when plants were harvested. At the end of the experiment shaded plants had produced significantly fewer branches than clones grown in full daylight. In all three treatments, however, initiation of secondary stolons occurred at the same developmental stage of individual ramets. Shading significantly slowed down the ontogenetic development of plants and this resulted in the observed differences in branching patterns between sun- and shade-grown individuals, when compared at the same chronological age. These results hence provide evidence that shade-induced changes in the branching pattern of clonal plants can be due to purely allometric effects. Implications for interpreting architectural changes in terms of functional shade-avoidance responses are discussed. Received: 16 August 1996 / Accepted: December 1996     

Phytochrome control of the growth and development of Rumex obtusifolius under simulated canopy light environments*

Abstract Studies on the growth and development of Rumex obtusifolius seedlings under simulated shade conditions show that both light quantity and quality contribute to the observed responses. In the shade situation the plants have lower dry matter, lower leaf area and lower net assimilation rates. Petiole elongation occurs under shade conditions only after transfer of the plants from non-shade environments. The effects of light quality are related to phytochrome photoequilibria set up by the increased relative photon flux in the far-red found under vegetation canopies.     

Plasticity in seedling morphology,biomass allocation and physiology among ten temperate tree species in response to shade is related to shade tolerance and not leaf habit

• Mechanisms of shade tolerance in tree seedlings, and thus growth in shade, may differ by leaf habit and vary with ontogeny following seed germination. To examine early responses of seedlings to shade in relation to morphological, physiological and biomass allocation traits, we compared seedlings of 10 temperate species, varying in their leaf habit (broadleaved versus needle‐leaved) and observed tolerance to shade, when growing in two contrasting light treatments – open (about 20% of full sunlight) and shade (about 5% of full sunlight).
• We analyzed biomass allocation and its response to shade using allometric relationships. We also measured leaf gas exchange rates and leaf N in the two light treatments.
• Compared to the open treatment, shading significantly increased traits typically associated with high relative growth rate (RGR) – leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), and allocation of biomass into leaves, and reduced seedling mass and allocation to roots, and net assimilation rate (NAR). Interestingly, RGR was not affected by light treatment, likely because of morphological and physiological adjustments in shaded plants that offset reductions of in situ net assimilation of carbon in shade. Leaf area‐based rates of light‐saturated leaf gas exchange differed among species groups, but not between light treatments, as leaf N concentration increased in concert with increased SLA in shade.
• We found little evidence to support the hypothesis of a increased plasticity of broadleaved species compared to needle‐leaved conifers in response to shade. However, an expectation of higher plasticity in shade‐intolerant species than in shade‐tolerant ones, and in leaf and plant morphology than in biomass allocation was supported across species of contrasting leaf habit.

     

遮阴对骆驼刺叶性状和水分生理的影响

以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘荒漠绿洲过渡带优势种骆驼刺为试验材料,研究正常光照(NL)、中度遮阴(MS)和重度遮阴(SS)3种不同遮阴环境对骆驼刺(Alhagi sparsifoliashap.)叶厚、单叶面积、比叶面积、比叶质量等叶性状参数和相对含水量、水势、失水速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率以及水分利用效率等水分生理参数的影响。结果显示:随着光照强度的降低,骆驼刺的叶片厚度(LT)、比叶质量(LMA)、净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和水分利用效率(WUE)明显降低,而单叶面积(LA)、比叶面积(SLA)、相对含水量(RWC)、失水速率(RWL)和水势(WP)明显升高;各叶性状参数与水分生理参数之间均有极显著的相关性。说明:骆驼刺在遮阴环境下,其叶性状特征主要通过单叶面积和单叶干物质积累的变化来响应遮阴环境;其水分生理特征主要是牺牲对水分胁迫具有较好抗逆性的水分生理特征并通过气孔调节和更多的水分消耗用于维持一定的光合能力来响应遮阴环境。叶性状与水分生理参数相关性分析表明,遮阴环境下骆驼刺叶性状变化主要通过影响RWL、WP、Tr和WUE进而影响其水分生理特征的变化。因此,建议可利用遮阴措施对极端干旱区荒漠植物骆驼刺进行植被恢复,但其遮光度应设置在70%—80%自然光之间。     

Light quality and quantity regulate aerobic methane emissions from plants

Studies have been mounting in support of the finding that plants release aerobic methane (CH₄), and that these emissions are increased by both short‐term and long‐term environmental stress. It remains unknown whether or not they are affected by variation in light quantity and quality, whether emissions change over time, and whether they are influenced by physiological parameters. Light is the primary energy source of plants, and therefore an important regulator of plant growth and development. Both shade‐intolerant sunflower and shade‐tolerant chrysanthemum were investigated for the release of aerobic CH₄ emissions, using either low or high light intensity, and varying light quality, including control, low or normal red:far‐red ratio (R:FR), and low or high levels of blue, to discern the relationship between light and CH₄ emissions. It was found that low levels of light act as an environmental stress, facilitating CH₄ release from both species. R:FR and blue lights increased emissions under low light, but the results varied with species, providing evidence that both light quantity and quality regulate CH₄ emissions. Emission rates of 6.79–41.13 ng g^?1 DW h^?1 and 18.53–180.25 ng g^?1 DW h^?1 were observed for sunflower and chrysanthemum, respectively. Moreover, emissions decreased with age as plants acclimated to environmental conditions. Since effects were similar in both species, there may be a common trend among a number of shade‐tolerant and shade‐intolerant species. Light quantity and quality are influenced by factors including cloud covering, so it is important to know how plants will be affected in the context of aerobic CH₄ emissions.     

Shedding light on large-scale chromatin reorganization in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants need to respond quickly and appropriately to various types of light signals from the environment to optimize growth and development. The immediate response to shading, reduced photon flux (low light), and changes in spectral quality involves changes in gene regulation. In the case of more persistent shade, the plant shows a dramatic change in the organization of chromatin. Both plant responses are controlled via photoreceptor signaling proteins. Recently, several studies have revealed similar features of chromatin reorganization in response to various abiotic and biotic signals, while others have unveiled intricate molecular networks of light signaling towards gene regulation. This opinion paper briefly describes the chromatin (de)compaction response from a light-signaling perspective to provide a link between chromatin and the molecular network of photoreceptors and E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes.     

中国木本植物幼苗生长对光照强度的响应

光照是影响植物幼苗生长的重要的环境因子,定量化研究光照对木本植物不同生活型幼苗生长的影响具有重要意义。系统收集了有关光照对我国木本植物幼苗生长影响的国内外文献,采用Meta分析的方法对幼苗的生长效应进行评估。研究结果表明:(1)与全光照下幼苗生长相比,由于遮阴处理对幼苗基径增长量的抑制作用强于对株高增长量的作用,幼苗出现株高基面积比增高的形态特征变化;(2)与灌木相比,乔木树种幼苗对不同光照强度的响应更加敏感;(3)在小于20%和20%—40%全光照条件下,落叶阔叶和常绿阔叶树种幼苗基径均受到显著抑制,而常绿针叶树种的基径并没有受到遮阴的明显抑制;(4)落叶阔叶和常绿阔叶树种的株高基面积比均显著高于全光照,而常绿针叶树种的株高基面积比与全光照相比差异较小。我们的这一研究将有助于更好的理解木本植物幼苗生长对光照的响应机理。     

Progressive effects of shading on experimental wetland communities over three years

To investigate how the composition of wetland communities changes over time in response to altered light regimes, experimental communities of five Carex and four grass species were subjected to artificial shading (continuous or seasonal) in a three-year field experiment. Shoot number and size was measured after six weeks, and shoot biomass was harvested five times during the experiment. Communities were initially dominated by three grass species in all treatments, but subsequently, the Carex species increased and reached dominance in the control plots, whereas grasses remained dominant in the shaded plots. Shading had no effect on the biomass of communities or of single species in the first year. In the second year, community biomass was still unaffected, but shading reduced the biomass of three Carex species and also reduced species diversity. In the third year, shading reduced community biomass and all Carex species, but not species diversity. The greater shade tolerance of the grasses could not be explained by differences in morphological plasticity: after six weeks of growth all species had increased shoot height in response to shade by 40–70%. Grasses were hardly more plastic than Carex species. We propose that the long-term success of the Carex species in full light was due to a high allocation of biomass to belowground parts, which may have reduced losses caused by repeated harvesting of shoots (a simulation of management in productive wet meadows). Shading probably caused the Carex plants to change their allocation pattern, and thus prevented their progressive increase.     

High light decreases xylem contribution to fruit growth in tomato

Recently, contradicting evidence has been reported on the contribution of xylem and phloem influx into tomato fruits, urging the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in fruit growth. So far, little research has been performed on quantifying the effect of light intensity on the different contributors to the fruit water balance. However, as light intensity affects both transpiration and photosynthesis, it might be expected to induce important changes in the fruit water balance. In this study, tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were grown in light and shade conditions and the fruit water balance was studied by measuring fruit growth of girdled and intact fruits with linear variable displacement transducers combined with a model‐based approach. Results indicated that the relative xylem contribution significantly increased when shading lowered light intensity. This resulted from both a higher xylem influx and a lower phloem influx during the daytime. Plants from the shade treatment were able to maintain a stronger gradient in total water potential between stem and fruits during daytime, thereby promoting xylem influx. It appeared that the xylem pathway was still functional at 35 days after anthesis and that relative xylem contribution was strongly affected by environmental conditions.     

Photosynthetic characteristics of ornamental passion flowers grown under different light intensities

Responses of leaf gas exchange, fluorescence emission, chlorophyll concentration, and morpho-anatomical features to changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were studied in three wild ornamental species of Passiflora L. to select sun and shade species for landscaping projects. Artificial shade was obtained with different shading nylon nets, under field conditions, which allowed the reduction of 25, 50, and 75% of global radiation, along with a control treatment under full sunlight. For Passiflora morifolia the highest mean values of light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax) and light compensation point (LCP) were observed at 50 and 25% shade, respectively, while the highest values of dark respiration rate (R _D) and apparent quantum yield (α) were observed at 75% shade. For Passiflora suberosa litoralis the highest value of P _max was observed at full sunlight. The highest mean values for P _max, R _D, and LCP for Passiflora palmeri var. sublanceolata were obtained at 25% shade. The highest values of net photosynthetic rate (P _N) for P. morifolia, P. palmeri var. sublanceolata, and P. suberosa litoralis were 21.09, 16.15, and 12.36 μmol(CO₂) m⁻² s⁻¹, observed at 50 and 75% shade and full sunlight, respectively. The values of the minimal chlorophyll fluorescence (F₀) were significantly different in P. suberosa litoralis and P. palmeri var. sublanceolata, increasing with the increase of the irradiance. In contrast, the values of maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F_v/F_m) were significantly different only in P. suberosa litoralis, being higher at 75%, progressively reducing with the increase of PPFD levels. The total concentration of chlorophyll (Chl) was higher in shaded plants than in the ones cultivated in full sunlight. On the other hand, the values of Chl a/b ratio were reduced in shaded plants. A significant effect of shade levels on leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA) was found for the three species, whose highest mean values were observed at 75% shade. The thickness of foliar tissues was significantly higher for the three species at full sunlight and 25% shade. These results suggested that P. morifolia and P. palmeri var. sublanceolata appeared to be adapted to moderate shade conditions. P. suberosa litoralis presented higher plasticity to greater variation of the irradiance levels, while the photoinhibition was one of the limiting factors for this species at full sunlight.     

THE DEVELOPMENTAL RESPONSES OF PAPAYA LEAVES TO SIMULATED CANOPY SHADE

The developmental responses of plants to shade underneath foliage are influenced by reductions in irradiance and shifts in spectral quality (characterized by reductions in the quantum ratio of red to far-red wavelengths, R:FR). Previous research on the influence of shadelight on leaf development has neglected the reductions in R:FR characteristic of foliage shade, and these studies have almost certainly underestimated the extent and array of developmental responses to foliage shade. We have studied the effects of reduced irradiance and R:FR on the leaf development of papaya (Carica papaya L., Caricaceae). Using experimental shadehouses, replicates of plants grown in high light conditions (0.20 of sunlight and R:FR = 0.90) were compared to low light conditions (0.02 of sunlight) with either the spectral quality of sunlight (R:FR = 0.99) or of foliage shade (F:FR = 0.26). Although many characteristics, such as leaf thickness, specific leaf weight, stomatal density, palisade parenchyma cell shape, and the ratio of mesophyll air surface/leaf surface were affected by reductions in irradiance, reduced R:FR contributed to further changes. Some characters, such as reduced chlorophyll a/b ratios, reduced lobing, and greater internode length, were affected primarily by low R:FR. The reduced R:FR of foliage shade, presumably affecting phytochrome equilibrium, strongly influences the morphology and anatomy of papaya leaves.     

Comparison of growth habits under various light conditions between two climax species, Castanopsis sieboldii and Castanopsis cuspidata, with special reference to their shade tolerance

Two experiments were conducted to examine the difference in shade tolerance between two climax species, Castanopsis sieboldii and Castanopsis cuspidata, in Aichi Prefecture in the warm-temperate climate of Japan. In the growth experiment, the seedlings of the two species were raised under five light conditions, 100%, 30%, 10%, 3% and 1% relative light intensity (RLI). The growth of C. sieboldii highly exceeded that of C. cuspidata, particularly under higher light conditions. In the heavy shading experiment, the seedlings of the two species were grown under three light conditions (0, 0.15 and 0.3% RLI). While all seedlings of C. sieboldii died within 2 years under 0.15 and 0.3% RLI, about half of the seedlings of C. cuspidata survived more than 2 years under 0.15% RLI, and about 70% survived more than 4 years under 0.3% RLI. It was concluded that C. cuspidata was more shade tolerant than C. sieboldii, and the possibility that C. sieboldii might be more tolerant of the drought stress than C. cuspidata was discussed.     

Shade avoidance and reproductive strategies of an early successional species Penthorum chinense in relation to shade treatments

• Shade avoidance is expected to be favoured under moderate light. However, in previous studies, shade avoidance was highest in the deepest shade, despite the fact that the plants incur the costs of shade avoidance without the benefits of being exposed to increased light.
• We performed shading experiments under different light intensities to understand: (i) how shade avoidance traits of Penthorum chinense could peak in moderate light, and (ii) if there was a trade‐off between plant height and allocation of seeds along the light gradients.
• Penthorum chinense increased shade avoidance traits such as height per total dry mass as the amount of light decreased. Side stem number per total dry mass of P. chinense decreased as shade became deeper, from full light to low light. Regressions on seed mass fraction and height were significant with a linear model (y = ?0.0006x + 0.1338). There were more resources allocated to seeds under low light than under moderate light.
• Penthorum chinense increased shade avoidance traits with the decrease in light amount, as found in previously studied species. There was a trade‐off between height and production of more seeds. The reproductive strategy of P. chinense was to increase seed mass fraction under low light more than under moderate light. This species might be able to expand established populations by both rhizomes and seeds under low light environments.

     

Experimental shading alters leaf litter breakdown in streams of contrasting riparian canopy cover

1. Headwater stream ecosystems are primarily heterotrophic, with allochthonous organic matter being the dominant energy. However, sunlight indirectly influences ecosystem structure and functioning, affecting microbial and invertebrate consumers and, ultimately, leaf litter breakdown. We tested the effects of artificial shading on litter breakdown rates in an open‐canopy stream (high ambient light) and a closed‐canopy stream (low ambient light). We further examined the responses of invertebrate shredders and aquatic hyphomycetes to shading to disentangle the underlying effects of light availability on litter breakdown. 2. Litter breakdown was substantially slower for both fast‐decomposing (alder, Alnus glutinosa) and slow‐decomposing (beech, Fagus sylvatica) leaf litters in artificially shaded stream reaches relative to control (no artificial shading) reaches, regardless of stream type (open or closed canopy). 3. Shredder densities were higher on A. glutinosa than on F. sylvatica litter, and shading had a greater effect on reducing shredder densities associated with A. glutinosa than those associated with F. sylvatica litter in both stream types. Fungal biomass was also negatively affected by shading. Results suggest that the effects of light availability on litter breakdown rates are mediated by resource quality and consumer density. 4. Results from feeding experiments, where A. glutinosa litter incubated under ambient light or artificial shade was offered to the shredder Gammarus fossarum, suggest that experimental shading and riparian canopy openness influenced litter palatability interactively. Rates of litter consumption by G. fossarum were decreased by experimental shading in the open‐canopy stream only. 5. The results suggest that even small variations in light availability in streams can mediate substantial within‐stream heterogeneity in litter breakdown. This study provides further evidence that changes in riparian vegetation, and thus light availability, influence organic matter processing in heterotrophic stream ecosystems through multiple trophic levels.     

Shading reduces exploitation of soil nitrate and phosphate by Agropyron desertorum and Artemisia tridentata from soils with patchy and uniform nutrient distributions

 Shading may both lessen the demand for soil nutrients and also the energy supply for nutrient acquisition. Since root foraging for nutrients in patchy environments can be energy-costly, especially for an immobile nutrient such as phosphate (P), the effects of shading may be most expected in heterogeneous soils. Plant acquisition of nitrate (N) and phosphate from soils with patchy and uniform nutrient distributions was determined in a field study under open sunlight and with shading for two common perennial Great Basin shrub steppe species, Agropyron desertorum and Artemisia tridentata. Partial shading in a pattern which can occur in shrub steppe vegetation significantly decreased plant N and P acquisition from soils both in the patchy and the uniform nutrient treatments. Artemisia was more affected by the shading than was Agropyron. Exploitation of the rather immobile P ion by both species was reduced to a much greater degree by the shading in the patchy distribution treatment than in the uniform nutrient treatment. As expected, plant acquisition of the more mobile N varied little with nutrient distribution treatment for both species and the depression of N acquisition by shading was the same in both nutrient distributions. The effects of shading appeared to have had its primary influence on different components of root foraging in the two species, especially in the nutrient-rich patches. For Agropyron shading primarily affected root proliferation, as indicated by reduced root density in patches. For Artemisia, shading most influenced root physiological uptake capacity and this was most pronounced in the nutrient-rich patches. While aboveground competition for light may generally reduce nutrient acquisition, the effects appear to be most pronounced if root systems of these steppe species are foraging for nutrients such as P in spatially heterogeneous soils. Received: 29 February 1996 / Accepted: 16 July 1996     

The effects of temperature and shading on mortality and development rates of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Urbanization has caused an increase in favorable habitats for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), given their ability to reproduce in small and often non‐degradable artificial water‐containers. While much work has been done on Ae. aegypti biology and ecology in urban landscapes, the role of shading on immature stages as an independent factor from temperature, and any possible interactions between these factors, remains unexamined. We assessed how temperature and shading affected egg hatch‐rate, larval/pupal mortality, and larval development to adult stage under different factorial temperature (28; 31; 34; 37; 40° C) and shade (0%, 3,100 lux; 40%, 1,860 lux; 75%, 775 lux; 100%, 0 lux) regimes. Hatch‐rate was significantly lower at 37° C (57 %), and no eggs hatched at 40° C. There was no significant effect caused by shading on hatchability. Larval and pupal mortality at 37° C was significantly higher (35%) compared to lower temperature groups, while the effects of shading were emergent at low temperatures. Developmental times from hatching to adult emergence were significantly reduced with increasing temperatures and with greater light exposures. The eco‐physiological response of Ae. aegypti larvae to temperature and light regimes suggest a photosensitivity previously unstudied in this species.     

Design and fabrication of adjustable red-green-blue LED light arrays for plant research

Background  

Although specific light attributes, such as color and fluence rate, influence plant growth and development, researchers generally cannot control the fine spectral conditions of artificial plant-growth environments. Plant growth chambers are typically outfitted with fluorescent and/or incandescent fixtures that provide a general spectrum that is accommodating to the human eye and not necessarily supportive to plant development. Many studies over the last several decades, primarily in Arabidopsis thaliana, have clearly shown that variation in light quantity, quality and photoperiod can be manipulated to affect growth and control developmental transitions. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been used for decades to test plant responses to narrow-bandwidth light. LEDs are particularly well suited for plant growth chambers, as they have an extraordinary life (about 100,000 hours), require little maintenance, and use negligible energy. These factors render LED-based light strategies particularly appropriate for space-biology as well as terrestrial applications. However, there is a need for a versatile and inexpensive LED array platform where individual wavebands can be specifically tuned to produce a series of light combinations consisting of various quantities and qualities of individual wavelengths. Two plans are presented in this report.     

Photosynthetic and growth responses to different light regimes of the major canopy species of Tasmanian cool temperate rainforest

Seedlings of the cool temperate rainforest tree species, Nothofagus cunninghamii, Atherosperma moschatum, Eucryphia lucida, Phyllocladus aspleniifolius, Lagarostrobos franklinii and Athrotaxis selaginoides, were grown in various light regimes and their instantaneous lightdependence curves and relative growth rates were measured. A. moschatum had the highest relative growth rate of all species in heavy shade, and its light-dependence curves were also characteristic of a relatively shade-tolerant species. A. selaginoides and L. franklinii seedlings raised in heavy shade had low instantaneous light compensation points but their growth rates were not distinct from that of N. cunninghamii. The maximum relative growth rate of the gymnosperms was low due to a low specific leaf area and leaf area ratio, although the maximum rates of photosynthesis on a leaf area basis were similar to N. cunninghamii and E. lucida. The low leaf area ratio and specific leaf area affected both the relative growth rate and the growth light compensation point. Although in the heaviest shade treatment there was no difference in growth rate between N. cunninghamii, E. lucida, L. franklinii and A. selaginoides, in moderate shade treatments N. cunninghamii had a higher relative growth rate than the gymnosperms and a higher maximum rate of photosynthesis on a leaf dry weight basis than all species when raised in semi-shaded natural light conditions. These species commonly occur in mixture in Tasmanian cool temperate rainforest and these results are discussed in terms of forest dynamics.