Responses of root length/leaf area ratio and specific root length of an understory herb, Pteridophyllum racemosum, to increases in irradiance

The understory evergreen perennial Pteridophyllum racemosum Sieb. et Zucc. (Papaveraceae) has the ability to increase root mass per unit transpiring leaf area (RMA) if irradiance increases gradually over several years. In this study, we examined how P. racemosum changes its root length/leaf area ratio and specific root length when the species encounters abrupt increases in irradiance, such as sudden and unexpected canopy openings. Plants were transplanted from a low light condition in a subalpine wave-regenerating forest (photon flux density on the forest floor relative to the full sun (RPFD) was 2.7%) to a high light condition in a glasshouse (30% RPFD) (LH treatment). Transplantation from the low light condition in the forest to a low light condition in the glasshouse (LL) and transplantation from a high light condition in the forest (33% RPFD) to a high light condition in the glasshouse (HH) were also conducted as controls. Compared to the LL plants, the LH plants exhibited significant increases in RMA and root length/leaf area ratio from 30 to 70 days after transplantation. On the other hand, the effect of increased irradiance on specific root length (SRL) was weak, and both the LL and LH plants showed increased SRL from 30 to 70 days after transplantation. Increased SRL results from longer root length per unit construction cost. We concluded that increased root length/leaf area ratio of P. racemosum in response to abrupt increases in irradiance was caused by a combination of enhanced carbon allocation to roots with increased SRL.