Effects of Light Intensity and Water Stress on Growth, Photosynthetic Characteristics and Plant Survival of Cistus heterophyllus Desf. Subsp. carthaginensis (Pau) M. B. Crespo & Mateo

The objective of this study was to identify the physiological mechanisms used by Cistus heterophyllus Desf. Subsp. carthaginensis (Pau) M. B. Crespo & Mateo, a species in critical danger extinction, cope with two typical abiotic conditions. During summer 2021, plants were cultivated under shade mesh that intercepted 50% incident solar radiation (SHADE) and natural conditions (SUN). Three irrigation treatments also applied: control, T1, moderate water deficit; T2, 60% severe T3, 30% control. Therefore, there six (SUN-T1, SUN-T2, SUN-T3, SHADE-T1, SHADE-T2, SHADE-T3). Plants more affected than deficit irrigation. Although leaf potential, stomatal conductance root biomass decreased up 45%, 63% 65%, respectively, as increased, able develop osmotic adjustment an improved intrinsic water-use efficiency maintain their growth survival rate. Shade gas exchange, reduced temperature induced synthesis chlorophylls, regardless level imposed. This indicated most limiting factor our experiment. Applying would help obtain good plant development high rate future recovery conservation programs for species.