Morphological and physiological plasticity of Thymus mongolicus under different light conditions

One-year-old Thymus mongolicus seedlings were used as the test material. They were grown under either natural light (control, CK), or 25, 50 and 75% shading; physiological and morphological indexes of leaves and roots were measured at 0, 7, 14, 24, and 44 d. The study aimed to identify tissue plasticity in T. mongolicus under different illumination conditions so as to provide a theoretical basis for the selection and promotion of aromatic ground cover plants. The results showed that 1) changes in the distribution of dry matter content at 14 d was due to an increase in leaf weight ratio and a reduction in root weight ratio under different light conditions. 2) The 50% light treatment significantly promoted the activity of leaf SOD, increased the content of soluble protein in the root osmotic adjustment substances, inhibited the accumulation of malondialdehyde, and showed strong physiological plasticity. 3) T. mongolicus showed greater morphological and physiological plasticity under 50% light, and significantly different physiological plasticity in leaves and roots in response to environmental changes.