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Jae Hwan Lee and Sang Yong Nam
Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023∙207
Introduction
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is a kind of succulent
plant that belongs to the family of Aizoaceae and is gen-
erally known as Aptenia cordifolia. M. cordifolium is na-
tive to South Africa and Namibia (Herppich and Peckmann,
1997), but it is also classified as an invasive species that
has invaded an extensive range of Europe (such as Spain,
Portugal, and Croatia), North Africa (such as Egypt and
Tunisia), and South Asia (such as India), and it is also
known to have extremely strong vitality and reproductive
capacity (El Hawary et al., 2020; El Mokni et al., 2020;
Ferrer Merino and Donat-Torres, 2011; Milovic et al., 2016;
Muthulakshmipechiammal and Rajendran, 2018; Smith et
al., 2019). M. cordifolium is capable of CAM photosyn-
thesis (Cela et al., 2009; Peckmann and Herppich, 1998)
J. People Plants Environ. Vol. 26 No. 3: 207-217, June 2023
https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2023.26.3.207 JPPE
Comparison of Growth and Leaf Color Quality of Mesembryanthemu
m
cordifolium f. variegata as Affected by Shading Levels
J
ae Hwan Lee1,2 and Sang Yong Nam3,4*
1Graduate Student, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
2Researcher, Natural Science Research Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
3Professor, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
4Director, Natural Science Research Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
ABSTRACT
Background and objective: Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is a plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family and is native to
South Africa and Namibia. As a CAM plant, M. cordifolium exhibits strong resistance to drought stress and can be utilized
for the removal of soil salinity and heavy metals. Furthermore, it is an important medicinal crop with anti-inflammatory and
antidepressant effects. However, despite its potential benefits, research on the optimal growth environment for M.
cordifolium remains scarce.
Methods: Therefore, this study selected M. cordifolium f. variegata with high ornamental value as the experimental plant
and compared the effects of different shading levels on the growth and leaf color quality of variegated baby sun rose (M.
cordifolium f. variegata). Six shading levels (0, 35, 45, 60, 75, and 99%, respectively) were designed using polyethylene (PE)
shading films.
Results: The results showed that the shoot height, shoot width, dry weight, and chlorophyll content (SPAD units) were
highest under the 60% shading level, while leaf length, leaf width, and fresh weight were highest under the 75% shading
level. On the other hand, growth was relatively lower under the 0% shading level, which suggests that M. cordifolium f.
variegata prefers shade over direct sunlight. On the contrary, M. cordifolium f. variegata showed growth even under the
99% shading level, proving to have strong shade tolerance, but the leaf color quality was lowerst.
Conclusion: In conclusion, to significantly increase the size and biomass of plants and improve leaf color quality when cultivating
M. cordifolium f. variegata under shading treatment, it is recommended to cultivate it under 60-75% shading levels.
Keywords: Aptenia cordifolia, CIELAB, phenotypic plasticity, shade tolerance, succulent
This paper was supported by the Sahmyook University Research Fund in 2022. The Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata (genetic resourc
e
number: IT345915) plants used in the study were provided by the National Agrobiodiversity Center at Rural Development Administration in
South Korea.
Received: April 9, 2023, Revised: May 10, 2023, Accepted: May 22, 2023
First author: Jae Hwan Lee, dlwoghks1236@naver.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4621-5942
*Corresponding author: Sang Yong Nam, namsy@syu.ac.kr, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4351-447X
Ⓒ 2023 by the Society for People, Plants, and Environment. This is a Peer-Reviewed Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution Non-Com mercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparison of Growth and Leaf Color Quality of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata as Affected by Shading Levels
208∙Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023
and is highly resistant to drought stress (Fleta-Soriano et
al., 2015; Pinto-Marijuan et al., 2017). M. cordifolium is
also known to have strong salinity tolerance (Cela and
Munne-Bosch, 2012; Karakas et al., 2020) as well as a
beautiful shape so that it can be used as a coastal ground
cover plant in certain regions. In addition, M. cordifolium
is effective in removing salt from soil (Galecio Mio and
Tarazona Dionicio, 2022) as well as heavy metals (Erdogan
et al., 2011; Zaimoglu et al., 2009), and can also be used
to noise reduction (Ccepaya Loayza, 2018; Delgadillo
Valdez, 2018). In the pharmacological aspect, M. cordifo-
lium has an anti-inflammatory effect (Waweru et al., 2017),
and antidepressant components were found in the root ex-
tract (Said et al., 2021), which suggested its sufficient po-
tential as a medicinal crop. However, despite the usefulness
of M. cordifolium, the optimal environment for efficient
cultivation is unknown, which is why related research is
needed.
It is necessary to control abiotic stress, which is a neg-
ative factor for growth, for mass production of plants. Since
producing healthy plants is directly related to the income
of farmers, it is something to be fully considered. One of
the simplest methods for controlling abiotic stress is to pro-
vide appropriate shading levels to each species. It has been
reported that canopy shades formed by plants in nature
have a positive effect on the survival rate and growth of
plants growing in the lower part (Callaway, 1992; Greenlee
and Callaway, 1996; Baumeister and Callaway, 2006). A
previous study reported that shading can protect plants
from mechanical damage, heat stress, and photoinhibition
(Semchenko et al., 2012). However, on the contrary, ex-
cessively high shading levels may have a relatively neg-
ative effect on plant growth, which is why research is nec-
essary on suitable shading levels for each species. Shading
can protect plants and help with stable environmental con-
trol, and artificial shading can be mostly created using
shading films or shading nets (Lee and Nam, 2022).
Previous studies were conducted on the growth of succulent
plants according to shading levels (Lee et al., 2021b;
2022c; Nam et al., 2022), the effect of shading treatment
on the growth of ornamental flower crops (Jang et al.,
2022; Kwon et al., 2020; Park and Kim, 2021), and ad-
equate shading levels for vegetables and tea tree (Cao et
al., 2022; Shim and Jeon, 2022; Sim et al., 2021). As such,
studies reported different results for various plant species,
and it is also necessary to investigate the most suitable
shading level for the cultivation of M. cordifolium f.
variegata.
Accordingly, this study analyzed the effects of different
shading levels on the growth and leaf color of M. cordifo-
lium f. variegata and provided relevant fundamental data.
Research Methods
Selection of the plant material
Among the plant genetic resources at the National Agro-
biodiversity Center at Rural Development Administration
in South Korea, we selected variegated baby sun rose
(Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata) (genetic
resource number: IT345915) as the experimental plant.
Prior to the study, we cut the stems, limiting the number
of leaves to 5 leaves, with a size of 3 cm, to ensure con-
sistent plant size. For the study, we used plants with axil-
lary buds developed by at least 2 cm after one month.
Setting of the shading levels
The study was conducted for a total of 8 weeks from
May 2 to June 28, 2022, at the experimental greenhouse
(37°38’40” N 127°06’25” E) in the Department of Environ-
mental Horticulture, Sahmyook University. Plants were
planted in round plastic pots with a diameter and height
of 11 × 10.5 cm. We used the substrate for succulent plants
by mixing decomposed granite (1-2 mm) with river sand
(0.5-1 mm) and horticultural substrate (Hanareumsangto,
Shinsung Mineral, South Korea) at a ratio of 6: 3: 1 (v/v/v)
by volume, and planted each plant one by one at the center
of the pot. We designed six levels of shading treatment:
no shade (i.e., direct sunlight) (0%), greenhouse glass (35%),
greenhouse glass and 1 layer of clear polyethylene (PE)
shading film (45%), greenhouse glass and 1 layer of white
PE shading film (60%), greenhouse glass and 2 layers of
white PE shading film (75%), and greenhouse glass and
1 layer of black PE shading film (99%). For the photo-
Jae Hwan Lee and Sang Yong Nam
Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023∙209
synthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of each shading level,
we calculated the mean and standard deviation of the meas-
urements taken at 1 p.m. once a week on sunny days using
a portable spectral radiometer (SpectraPen Mini, Photon
Systems Instruments, Czech Republic) (Table 1).
The plants of all treatments including the control (0%
shading level) were arranged on beds that are 1 m high,
and the average temperature in the greenhouse during the
study was 21.2 ± 3.1°C, and the average temperature of
the outdoor area where the control was placed was 20.1
± 2.8°C (Fig. 1A). Here, the greenhouse facility where the
study was conducted was ventilated by fully opening the
top and sides for 24 hours. The relative humidity in the
greenhouse was 63.2 ± 13.5%, and the relative humidity
of the outdoor area was 64.6 ± 13.2% (Fig. 1B). The aver-
age cloud cover during the study was 5.2 ± 2.7 okta, and
this was evaluated by visual observation, which is the same
as the measurement method of Korea Meteorological
Administration, at 1 p.m. every day (Fig. 1C). The plants
were watered twice a week. In this study, watering con-
tinued until gravitational water drainage occurred.
Parameters and measurement methods
To investigate the effects of shading levels on the growth
and leaf color of M. cordifolium f. variegata, various pa-
rameters were examined, including shoot height, shoot
width, root length, leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight,
dry weight, plant moisture content, chlorophyll content
(SPAD units), and leaf color. The CIELAB color space,
developed by the International Commission on Illumination
in 1976, was utilized for assessing leaf color. The color
coordinates, represented by L* (lightness), a* (green-red op-
ponent colors), and b* (blue-yellow opponent colors) val-
ues, as well as ΔE*
ab and RHS values, were analyzed.
The shoot height was measured as the vertical distance
from the ground to the highest point of the plant, and the
shoot width by measuring the broadest area of the plant
seen from above. For root length, we measured the longest
of the plant roots. Secondary analysis was conducted on
the SH/RL ratio, which represents the ratio of shoot height
to root length, and the LL/LW ratio, which represents the
ratio of leaf length to leaf width. Fresh weight was meas-
ured after washing the plant and naturally drying it for
24 hours in an enclosed space. Dry weight was measured
after hot air drying of the plants for 24 hours at 85°C using
a heat dryer (HK-DO135F, HANKUK S&I, South Korea).
Here, we performed a secondary analysis by contrasting
fresh weight with dry weight to analyze the plant moisture
content, and equation (1) is as follows.
Standard shading
levels (%)
Relative shading
levels (%)
PPFD
(µmol m-2 s-1)
0 01847.2 ± 173.4z
35 34.3 1213.1 ± 189.0
45 46.1 995.4 ± 157.8
60 59.7 744.9 ± 101.2
75 76.4 437.6 ± 58.9
99 98.9 20.6 ± 3.7
zMean ± standard deviation
Table 1. Shading levels and photosynthetic photon flux
density (PPFD) in this study
Fig. 1. Temperature, relative humidity, and cloud cover in this study. Cloud cover index, 0 okta: sky clear; 1-2 okta: few
clouds; 3-4 okta: scattered; 5-7 okta: broken; 8 okta: overcast; 9 okta: sky obscured.
Comparison of Growth and Leaf Color Quality of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata as Affected by Shading Levels
210∙Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023
∕⋅ (1)
( is plant moisture content, is fresh weight, and
is dry weight)
SPAD units were measured using a portable chlorophyll
meter (SPAD-502, Konica Minolta, Japan). CIELAB val-
ues were measured by setting the spectrophotometer
(CM-2600d, Konica Minolta, Japan) to CIELAB D65/10°
with reference to the leaf color measurement method by
Lee et al. (2022a), after which we collected data including
specular components. Here, to determine SPAD units and
CIELAB, we randomly selected 3 leaves from each plant
and measured the central part of the leaves. To compare
the leaf color differences of M. cordifolium f. variegata
at each shading level, we calculated the color differences
by setting CIE76 ΔE*
ab with reference to each shading
level, and the equation (2) about the CIE76 color differ-
ences used is as follows (CIE, 2004).
(2)
(In this study, ΔE*
ab ≤ 1.5 is regarded as ‘no color
difference’ or ‘subtle color difference’, 1.6-3.0 as ‘very
small color difference’, 3.1-6.0 as ‘small color differ-
ence’, 6.1-9.0 as ‘color difference’, 9.1-12.0 as ‘big color
difference’, and ≥ 12.1 as ‘very big color difference’
or ‘completely different color’)
For RHS values, we compared the results of each of
L*, a*, and b* with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
colour charts edition V and evaluated the leaf colors by
selecting 2 approximate RHS values for each treatment.
For leaf colors, we converted the means of CIELAB L*,
a*, and b* to converted colors using Converting Colors de-
veloped by Zettl (2023).
Statistical analysis
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using
SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, USA) to analyze the results of
the study. To compare the means, statistical analysis was
conducted using Duncan’s multiple range test at p < .05.
The study was in a completely randomized design, with
5 plants assigned to each treatment in 3 replications.
Results and Discussion
Changes in plant growth
The plant sizes of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f.
variegata affected by the shading levels showed various
differences (Fig. 2). The results showed that shoot height
was tallest at 8.28cm under the 60% shading level (Table
2). This is similar to the results of previous shading study
on Sedum zokuriense (Lee et al., 2021b) and Hylotelephium
sieboldii cv. Mediovariegatum (Nam et al., 2022) discovered
that shoot height was highest under the 65, 60% shading
levels, respectively. Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of
a plant to change its morphological characteristics so that
it can adapt to the changing growth environment (Bradshaw,
1965; DeWitt et al., 1998; Sultan, 1987). The change in
plasticity shown in shades is referred to as shade-induced
phenotype (Weijschede et al., 2006). Here, in a shade-in-
Fi
g
. 2. Representative image of plant growth characteristics grown for 8 weeks under shading levels.
Jae Hwan Lee and Sang Yong Nam
Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023∙211
duced phenotype, we can expect to see an increase in the
plant’s stems, shoot width, cover area, and leaf area (Lee
and Nam, 2022). For shoot width of M. cordifolium f. vari-
egata, the result of the 60, 75% shading levels in Duncan’s
multiple range test showed the same significance level with
26.22 and 25.70 cm, respectively. Here, M. cordifolium
f. variegata showed relatively low shoot width under 0,
35, and 99% shading levels compared to other treatments.
Under the 0% shading level, factors such as light stress
(Demmig-Adams and Adams, 1992), temperature rise, and
water loss from soil may have had an effect. Additional
research may be needed about light stress and water loss
from soil by direct sunlight. On the contrary, under the
99% shading level, the growth rate may have decreased
significantly because carbon dioxide assimilation is diffi-
cult, and the plant showed a shade avoidance response,
implying that the amount of light received was extremely
insufficient to overcome the low-level light environment.
A previous study showed that Echeveria agavoides had
relatively higher shoot height and shoot width in partial
shading and shading compared to no shade, showing sim-
ilar results as this study (Cabahug et al., 2017). Root length
was longest under the 99% shading level at 21.26 cm. Some
studies reported that the biomass allocated to the roots of
Betula pendula was reduced under shading conditions (Van
Hees and Clerkx, 2003), and Quercus robur and Fagus syl-
vatica also showed root growth inhibition under shading
conditions (Van Hees, 1997). However, this study proved
that shading treatment did not have a negative effect on
the root length of M. cordifolium f. variegata, showing
contrary results to the aforementioned studies. The SH/RL
ratio that represents the ration of shoot height and root
length was highest at 0.44 under the 60% shading level.
Therefore, when cultivating M. cordifolium f. variegata
under adequate shading level, shoot growth tends to be pro-
moted relatively more than root growth.
Leaf length was longest at 5.93 cm under the 75% shad-
ing level, and leaf width was also widest at 3.24 cm under
the 75% shading level, indicating that we can expect the
most increase in leaf area through shade avoidance re-
sponse under the 75% shading level when cultivating M.
cordifolium f. variegata. This is similar to the results of
previous study where the leaf length and leaf width of H.
telephium cv. Lajos was highest under the 75% shading
level (Nam et al., 2022). Meanwhile, there was no sig-
nificant difference in the LL/LW ratio that represents the
ratio of leaf length to leaf width.
The fresh weight of M. cordifolium f. variegata was
relatively higher under the 45, 60, 75% shading levels at
the same significance level compared to other treatments
as a result of statistical analysis, each showing 38.65,
38.61, and 41.33 g (Fig. 3A). Meanwhile, dry weight was
highest under the 45, 60% shading levels at the same sig-
nificance level, each showing 2.16, 2.20 g (Fig. 3B). Plant
moisture content was highest under the 75% shading level
at 95.1% (Fig. 3C). Considering these results, the 75% shad-
Shading
levels (%)
Plant sizes (cm) SH/RL ratiozLeaf sizes (cm) LL/LW ratioy
Shoot height Shoot width Root length Length Wid t h
06.33 cx12.69 c 19.17 b 0.32 c 3.41 e 1.93 c 1.78 a
35 7.02 bc 14.62 c 19.03 b 0.40 ab 3.72 de 2.12 c 1.76 a
45 7.21 bc 21.91 b 19.12 b 0.38 bc 4.67 c 2.62 b 1.78 a
60 8.28 a 26.22 a 19.85 ab 0.44 a 5.27 b 3.06 ab 1.75 a
75 7.85 ab 25.70 a 20.95 a 0.37 bc 5.93 a 3.24 a 1.82 a
99 7.03 bc 11.53 c 21.26 a 0.33 c 4.05 d 2.21 c 1.84 a
Significancew** *** ** ** *** *** NS
zSH/RL ratio: shoot height/root length ratio.
yLL/LW ratio: leaf length/leaf width ratio.
xMeans separation within columns by Duncan’s multiple range test at p < .05; same lowercase letters indicate no significant differences.
wNS, **, ***: non-significant or significant at p < .01 or .001, respectively.
Table 2. Plant sizes, ratio indices, and leaf sizes of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata as affected by shading
levels for 8 weeks
Comparison of Growth and Leaf Color Quality of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata as Affected by Shading Levels
212∙Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023
ing level seems to have increased the cell size of M. cordi-
folium f. variegata compared to other shading levels, and
thus the plants could contain high moisture content. In sum-
mary of growth parameters, shading films prevented the
abiotic stress of plants and had a positive effect on plant
growth. In particular, better growth was shown in shading
compared to growing M. cordifolium f. variegata under
direct sunlight, indicating that it is better to use shades
for the mass production of plants. Therefore, it is recom-
mended to cultivate M. cordifolium f. variegata in about
60-75% shading levels in order to significantly increase
the plant sizes and biomass.
Changes in leaf color and color differences
Chlorophyll content (SPAD units) of M. cordifolium f.
variegata were highest at 22.87 under the 60% shading
level, indicating that chlorophyll content was the highest
in the same leaf area compared to other treatments (Fig.
4A). This result is similar to the results of shoot width
and consistent with the reports of previous studies that S.
zokuriense (Lee et al., 2021b), Hoya carnosa and Spathi-
phyllum wallisii (Lee et al., 2021a), and H. telephium cv.
Lajos (Nam et al., 2022) showed an increase in chlorophyll
content was observed concomitant with high shoot width
under conditions of optimal shading level and light in-
tensity. Therefore, creating a suitable growth environment
for the plant species is an important factor to increase the
shoot width and chlorophyll content of plants at the same
time. Leaf color is a factor that enables intuitive evaluation
of the external quality of plants and is important as it af-
fects marketability (Lee and Nam, 2023). In previous stud-
ies, the increase in CIELAB L* that is the color space coor-
dinate representing lightness showed a negative correlation
with the growth parameters of a few succulent species (Lee
et al., 2022b; 2022c), and L* was highest at 55.39 under
the 99% shading level where the growth was lowest, there-
by showing consistent results with previous studies (Fig.
4B). CIELAB a* that represents green-red opponent colors
was highest at -6.24 under the 0% shading level, indicating
that leaves were being colored significantly under direct
sunlight (Fig. 4C). Moreover, CIELAB b
* that represents
blue-yellow opponent colors was highest at 21.89 under
the 35% shading level (Fig. 4D). Meanwhile, some studies
showed that L* and b* had a positive correlation (Kim et
al., 2022; Lee et al., 2022b, 2022c), and similar trends were
found under the 35, 99% shading levels.
Leaf color difference analyzed with CIE76 (ΔE*
ab)
ranged from 1.35 to 9.64 by shading levels (Table 3). As
for Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) values, the leaf col-
ors of M. cordifolium f. variegata were N137D, 147B un-
der the 60, 75% shading levels, indicating that they were
closest to green, whereas the leaf colors in other treatments
were 147B, 147C, 148B, indicating that they were rela-
tively closer to yellow. Here, the leaf color difference under
the 75% shading level showing the vigorous growth state
and the 99% shading level showing the lowest growth state
was highest at ΔE*
ab = 9.64, indicating that there was ‘big
Fig. 3. Plant weight and moisture content of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata as affected by shading levels
for 8 weeks: A) plant fresh weight; B) plant dry weight; C) plant moisture content. Vertical bars indicate the mean ±
standard error (SE), and asterisks (***) indicate significant at p < .001. Different lowercase letters indicate significant
differences at p < .05 based on Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT).
Jae Hwan Lee and Sang Yong Nam
Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023∙213
color difference’.
As a result of comprehensively evaluating the growth
parameters, changes in leaf colors, and color differences,
it was found that M. cordifolium f. variegata preferred
the 60-75% shading levels compared to direct sunlight.
Meanwhile, M. cordifolium f. variegata seems to have
good shade tolerance so that it can show some growth un-
der even the 99% shading level, but the SPAD units was
the lowest and the lightness of leaves was the highest,
thereby showing the low ornamental value of leaves.
Accordingly, it is recommended to cultivate M. cordifo-
lium f. variegata under 60-75% shading levels to sig-
nificantly increase the plant sizes, biomass and improve
the external quality of leaf colors.
Fig. 4. Chlorophyll content (SPAD units) and CIELAB values (L*, a*, and b*) of M. cordifolium f. variegata as affected by
shading levels for 8 weeks: A) chlorophyll content; B) CIELAB L* value; C) CIELAB a* value; D) CIELAB b* value. Vertical
bars indicate the mean ± SE, and asterisks (***) indicate significant at p < .001. Different lowercase letters indicate
significant differences at p < .05 based on DMRT.
Shading
levels (%)
CIE76 (ΔE*ab) by shading levels (%) RHS valueszConverted colory
(color chip)
035 45 60 75 99
0Reference 4.11 1.35 3.88 5.67 4.51 147B, 148B
35 4.11 Reference 4.61 7.55 9.45 2.64 147C, 148B
45 1.35 4.61 Reference 2.94 4.86 4.97 147B, 148B
60 3.88 7.55 2.94 Reference 2.05 7.61 N137D, 147B
75 5.67 9.45 4.86 2.05 Reference 9.64 N137D, 147B
99 4.51 2.64 4.97 7.61 9.64 Reference 147C, 148B
zRoyal Horticultural Society (RHS) colour charts edition V values.
yColors converted using CIELAB L*, a*, and b* values.
Table 3. Calculated of leaf color differences of CIE76
(
∆E
*
ab
)
, RHS values, and converted color of M. cordifolium f.
variegata grown under shading levels for 8 weeks
Comparison of Growth and Leaf Color Quality of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium f. variegata as Affected by Shading Levels
214∙Journal of People, Plants, and Environment Vol. 26, No. 3, 2023
Conclusion
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is a succulent plant
that belongs to the family of Aizoaceae and is native to
South Africa and Namibia. M. cordifolium is a CAM plant
that is highly resistant to drought stress and can be used
to remove salt and heavy metals from soil, and it is also
a medicinal crop with anti-inflammatory and antidepressant
effects. However, despite its usefulness, research on the
optimal growth environment is insufficient. Accordingly,
this study selected variegated baby sun rose (M. cordifo-
lium f. variegata) with excellent ornamental value as the
experimental plant and compared the effects of shading lev-
els on the growth and leaf color quality of M. cordifolium
f. variegata. We designed six shading levels such as 0,
35, 45, 60, 75, and 99% using polyethylene (PE) shading
films. The results showed that shoot height, shoot width,
dry weight, and chlorophyll content (SPAD units) were
highest under the 60% shading level, and leaf length, leaf
width, and fresh weight were highest under the 75% shad-
ing level. Meanwhile, growth was relatively lower under
the 0% shading level with the highest light intensity, in-
dicating that M. cordifolium f. variegata prefers shades
over direct sunlight. On the contrary, M. cordifolium f.
variegata showed growth even under the 99% shading lev-
el, proving to have strong shade tolerance, but the leaf color
quality was lower. In conclusion, it is recommended to cul-
tivate M. cordifolium f. variegata under the 60-75% shad-
ing levels to significantly increase the size and biomass
of plants and improve leaf color quality.
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