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The influence of shading intensity on growth, morphology and leaf gas exchange of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) seedlings was investigated over a 2-year period. Diurnal gas exchange studies revealed significantly higher carbon gain for leaves grown in 20 or 50% shade compared to leaves grown in 80% shade. Seedlings grown in 20 or 50% shade accumulated significantly more dry weight than seedlings grown in 80% shade during the 2-year study period. Seedlings grown in decreased shade showed decreased leaf size, increased leaf thickness, lower specific leaf area (SLA) and higher stomatal frequency. Less shaded seedlings also allocated relatively more dry matter to roots than shaded seedlings and exhibited a significant reduction in leaf area relative to total plant dry weight (leaf area ratio). Increased leaf number, enhanced branching and shorter internodes resulted in a more compact appearance of less shaded seedlings. Irrespective of light conditions, mangosteen seedlings exhibited inherently slow growth because of low photosynthetic rates per unit leaf area, low SLA, low leaf area ratios and inefficient root systems.

Gas exchange responses of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) leaves to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), internal CO(2) concentration (C(i)), leaf-air vapor pressure deficit (VPD), leaf temperature (T(l)) and time of day were investigated in plants grown in three shade treatments. Maximal photosynthetic rate (P(n(max))) per unit leaf area at light saturation did not differ significantly among plants grown in the different shade treatments despite significant morphological differences. Light compensation point (9-15 micro mol m(-2) s(-1)) and quantum yield (0.022-0.023) did not differ significantly among treatments, whereas light saturation point was significantly higher for leaves grown in 20% shade than for leaves grown in 50 or 80% shade (951, 645 and 555 micro mol m(-2) s(-1), respectively). Shade treatments significantly affected assimilation responses to varying CO(2) concentrations. At CO(2) concentrations between 600 and 1000 micro mol mol(-1), leaves from the 20% shade treatment recorded higher P(n) (6.44 micro mol m(-2) s(-1)) than leaves from the 80% shade treatment (4.57 micro mol m(-2) s(-1)). Stomatal conductance (g(s)) decreased with increasing CO(2) concentrations. Vapor pressure deficits higher than 2.5 kPa significantly decreased P(n) and g(s), whereas P(n) remained steady over a 24-33 degrees C temperature range in leaves in 80% shade and over a 27-36 degrees C range in leaves in 20 and 50% shade. Highest carbon gain during a 12-hour photoperiod was observed for leaves grown in 50% shade. The results imply that mangosteen is a shade-tolerant, lower canopy tree adapted to humid tropical lowlands. Providing low VPD in the nursery may result in maximal growth. However leaves of seedlings grown in 50 or 20% shade tolerated high VPD and temperatures better than leaves of seedlings grown in 80% shade, indicating some adaptability to the seasonally wet and dry tropics of northern Australia.