Blue light optimizes photosynthetic physiology and photoprotective molecular mechanisms of Hydrangea quercifolia seedlings
4 affiliations
- 1College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Institute of Technology
- 2Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- 3University of Science and Technology of China
- 4Institute of Hefei Artificial Intelligence Breeding Accelerator Co Ltd.
Abstract
Introduction: Hydrangea quercifolia is a rare ornamental shrub whose natural populations have declined due to habitat loss, necessitating efficient artificial propagation techniques. Light quality is a critical environmental factor regulating seedling growth and physiological quality; however, the molecular mechanisms by which different LED light spectra modulate photosynthetic physiology and hormone signaling in H. quercifolia remain poorly understood.
Methods: We investigated the regulatory mechanisms of four LED light qualities—white (W), blue (B), red (R), and red:blue = 3:1 (R3B1)—on the growth, photosynthetic performance, chloroplast ultrastructure, hormone metabolism, and transcriptomic profiles of H. quercifolia 'Harmony' seedlings. Physiological parameters were measured on days 7, 14, and 21, and RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes and associated signaling pathways.
Results: Blue (B) light significantly increased chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and cytokinin (CTK) contents, promoted chloroplast proliferation and grana thylakoid development, and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that B light upregulated genes encoding photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) reaction center proteins (especially PsbS , Photosystem II S subunit), strengthened non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and photoprotective capacity, and reduced brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis by suppressing BRI1 (Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1) and BSK (Brassinosteroid-Signaling Kinase) expression. In contrast, R3B1 and red (R) light induced chloroplast shrinkage, reduced chloroplast number, and triggered starch accumulation. R3B1 light inhibited PSII oxygen evolution and electron transport, downregulating chloroplast-related genes; while R light suppressed cytokinin biosynthesis by downregulating CRE1 (Cytokinin Response 1) and activated BAK1 (BRI1-Associated Receptor Kinase 1)-mediated BR signaling.
Discussion: These findings demonstrate that blue light plays a pivotal role in promoting the high-quality development of hydrangea seedlings by optimizing photosynthetic apparatus assembly, enhancing photoprotection, and repressing BR-mediated growth inhibition. The differential molecular responses to distinct light spectra provide a theoretical basis for designing optimized artificial light environments and improving the efficiency of horticultural seedling production.
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BibTeX
@article{su2026blue,
title = {{Blue light optimizes photosynthetic physiology and photoprotective molecular mechanisms of Hydrangea quercifolia seedlings}},
author = {Pengfei Su and Dacheng Wang and Yameng Gao and Xue Chen and Jinyan Hou and Lifang Wu},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1951910},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1951910/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Blue light optimizes photosynthetic physiology and photoprotective molecular mechanisms of Hydrangea quercifolia seedlings
AU - Pengfei Su
AU - Dacheng Wang
AU - Yameng Gao
AU - Xue Chen
AU - Jinyan Hou
AU - Lifang Wu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1951910
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1951910/full
AB - Introduction: Hydrangea quercifolia is a rare ornamental shrub whose natural populations have declined due to habitat loss, necessitating efficient artificial propagation techniques. Light quality is a critical environmental factor regulating seedling growth and physiological quality; however, the molecular mechanisms by which different LED light spectra modulate photosynthetic physiology and hormone signaling in H. quercifolia remain poorly understood. Methods: We investigated the regulatory mechanisms of four LED light qualities—white (W), blue (B), red (R), and red:blue = 3:1 (R3B1)—on the growth, photosynthetic performance, chloroplast ultrastructure, hormone metabolism, and transcriptomic profiles of H. quercifolia 'Harmony' seedlings. Physiological parameters were measured on days 7, 14, and 21, and RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes and associated signaling pathways. Results: Blue (B) light significantly increased chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and cytokinin (CTK) contents, promoted chloroplast proliferation and grana thylakoid development, and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that B light upregulated genes encoding photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) reaction center proteins (especially PsbS , Photosystem II S subunit), strengthened non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and photoprotective capacity, and reduced brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis by suppressing BRI1 (Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1) and BSK (Brassinosteroid-Signaling Kinase) expression. In contrast, R3B1 and red (R) light induced chloroplast shrinkage, reduced chloroplast number, and triggered starch accumulation. R3B1 light inhibited PSII oxygen evolution and electron transport, downregulating chloroplast-related genes; while R light suppressed cytokinin biosynthesis by downregulating CRE1 (Cytokinin Response 1) and activated BAK1 (BRI1-Associated Receptor Kinase 1)-mediated BR signaling. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that blue light plays a pivotal role in promoting the high-quality development of hydrangea seedlings by optimizing photosynthetic apparatus assembly, enhancing photoprotection, and repressing BR-mediated growth inhibition. The differential molecular responses to distinct light spectra provide a theoretical basis for designing optimized artificial light environments and improving the efficiency of horticultural seedling production.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -