Effects of Light Intensity and Fertilization on Leaf Traits and Anatomical Structure of Cyclocarya paliurus

Oneyear Cyclocarya paliurus seedling was selected as material to analyze the effects of light intensity and fertilization on compound leaf traits, stomata characteristics and anatomical structure. The results showed that shading and interaction of shading and fertilization significantly affected all indices. However fertilization had only significant effect on leaf thickness. Without shading, the leaf area was smaller, but was thicker. In addition, the palisade tissue and spongy tissue of the leaf were compact under 100% sunlight condition, and the leaf had smaller and denser stomata. As the light intensity decreased, leaf area increased, and leaf thickness, leaf mass per area (LMA) and stomata density decreased. Accordingly, the stomata became longer and wider. Under 100% sunlight condition, fertilization resulted in the increase of the leaf area, leaf weight, LMA and leaf thickness. The greatest leaf area and weight were achieved in intermediate shading and 200g/plant fertilizer. It was suggested that intermediate shading and fertilization was the optimal condition for the growth of C. paliurus seedlings.