Effect of foliar application of brassinolide on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence traits of Leymus chinensis under varying levels of shade

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of exogenous application of brassinolide (BR) on Leymus chinensis grown under shade, i.e., control (100% natural light), mild shade (70% natural light), and moderate shade (50% natural light). Shade substantially enhanced the plant growth, synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic efficiency, and chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence attributes of L. chinensis as compared with control. The order of increase was mild shade > moderate shade > natural light except Chl content, where the order of increase was moderate shade > mild shade > natural light. Likewise, application of BR resulted in further exacerbation of plant height, plant fresh and dry mass, but less in case of Chl and carotenoids contents, gas-exchange characteristics, and Chl fluorescence attributes. The results conclude that shade significantly enhanced plant growth through alterations in physiological attributes of L. chinensis, while, application of BR may not further improve the plant growth under shade.