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Volume 14
Issue 21
10.3390/plants14213346
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Silicon Addition Alleviates Light Stress on Seedlings: Evidence from Plantation of Liquidambar formosana

by
Siying Cai
1,
Minqian Zheng
1,
Tingting Li
1,
Youlu Hong
1,
Yifei Chen
1,
Zhihui Li
1,
Junyi Lin
2,
Xiaoli Liao
3,
Shaofei Jin
3,4,* and
Dexiang Zheng
1,*
1
College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
2
College of Economics and Management, Yango University, Fuzhou 350015, China
3
Department of Geography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
4
Observation and Research Station of Land Consolidation in Hilly Region of Southeast China, MNR, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Plants 2025, 14(21), 3346; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213346 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 26 July 2025 / Revised: 25 October 2025 / Accepted: 28 October 2025 / Published: 31 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effect of Light on Plant Growth and Development)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Excessive light intensity, often resulting from anthropogenic disturbances, poses a threat to light-sensitive Liquidambar formosana seedlings. This study examined the effects of five light intensity levels and three silicon (Si) application rates on photosynthetic performance, oxidative stress responses, and seedling growth. Results indicated that full sunlight significantly reduced ground diameter, chlorophyll content, specific leaf area, and stomatal conductance. Meanwhile, it increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, and led to higher accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA). Application of Si enhanced seedling height, biomass accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activity under high-light conditions, while reducing MDA content, stomatal CO2 conductance, and transpiration rate, and maintaining a stable net photosynthetic rate. However, excessive Si (3000 mg·kg−1) led to decreased catalase activity, chlorophyll content, and leaf area under intense light. These findings suggest that L. formosana seedlings perform best under moderate shade (11,000–46,000 lx) and moderate Si application (1000–2000 mg·kg−1), which together mitigate photoinhibition damage. Optimal physiological responses thus require balanced Si concentrations. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the interactive effects of shading and Si application for improved seedling resilience.
Keywords: Liquidambar formosana; high-light stress; silicon fertilizer; plant resistance Liquidambar formosana; high-light stress; silicon fertilizer; plant resistance

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Cai, S.; Zheng, M.; Li, T.; Hong, Y.; Chen, Y.; Li, Z.; Lin, J.; Liao, X.; Jin, S.; Zheng, D. Silicon Addition Alleviates Light Stress on Seedlings: Evidence from Plantation of Liquidambar formosana. Plants 2025, 14, 3346. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213346

AMA Style

Cai S, Zheng M, Li T, Hong Y, Chen Y, Li Z, Lin J, Liao X, Jin S, Zheng D. Silicon Addition Alleviates Light Stress on Seedlings: Evidence from Plantation of Liquidambar formosana. Plants. 2025; 14(21):3346. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213346

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cai, Siying, Minqian Zheng, Tingting Li, Youlu Hong, Yifei Chen, Zhihui Li, Junyi Lin, Xiaoli Liao, Shaofei Jin, and Dexiang Zheng. 2025. "Silicon Addition Alleviates Light Stress on Seedlings: Evidence from Plantation of Liquidambar formosana" Plants 14, no. 21: 3346. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213346

APA Style

Cai, S., Zheng, M., Li, T., Hong, Y., Chen, Y., Li, Z., Lin, J., Liao, X., Jin, S., & Zheng, D. (2025). Silicon Addition Alleviates Light Stress on Seedlings: Evidence from Plantation of Liquidambar formosana. Plants, 14(21), 3346. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14213346

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