Outdoor ornamental vine, Lonicera japonica var. aureo-reticulata, was subjected to study the effect of varied-level nitrogen on the growth response shown by this plant under 3 different light regimes such as full sunlight, half sunlight and shade conditions;
1. The leaf length was longest at the shade, and leaf width was like-wise longest, yet plants look ornamentally more appropriate when grown under the full sunlight conditions.
2. Chlorophyll contents were more under the shade than under the sunlight, but dry weight was more under the full sunlight. The characteristic golden variegation disappeared as light intensity was reduced, and showed juvenile-looking leaves. Lonicera japonica var. aureo-reticulata used in the studies was also observed to indicate the fact a higher light intensity favors expression of the leaf variegation.
3. Under the full sunlight conditions, a low nitrogen level in soil also prompts expression of the leaf variegation.
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