Effects of Light Intensity and Temperature on the Photosynthesis Characteristics and Yield of Lettuce

Abstract

Lettuce is an important vegetable in horticulture, but information about the interactive effects of light and temperature on its photosynthetic characteristics was inadequate. This work investigated the effects of three temperatures (15/10 (T15), 23/18 (T23), and 30/23 °C (T30)) and five light treatments (100 (P100), 200 (P200), 350 (P350), 500 (P500), and 600 µmol·m−2·s−1 (P600)) on the light–response curves, chlorophyll content, and yield of lettuce. The results showed that the maximum photosynthetic rate, light saturation point, chlorophyll content, and yield of lettuce were all the highest at T23 compared with T15 and T30 under different light intensities. Under the same temperature conditions, the photosynthesis capacity and yield of lettuce in the P350 and P500 treatments at T15, P350, P500, and P600 treatments at T23 and P500, and P600 treatments at T30 were larger than other light treatments. The results suggested that temperature play had a more pronounced influence on photosynthesis and yield in lettuce, but the appropriate levels of light intensity improved its potential photosynthetic capacity and yield under different temperature conditions.