Blue light regulated lignin and cellulose content of soybean petioles and stems under low light intensity

To improve light harvest and plant structural support under low light intensity, it is useful to investigate the effects of different ratios of blue light on petiole and stem growth. Two true leaves of soybean seedlings were exposed to a total light intensity of 200 μmol m−2 s−1, presented as either white light or three levels of blue light (40 μmol m−2 s−1, 67 μmol m−2 s−1 and 100 μmol m−2 s−1) for 15 days. Soybean petioles under the low blue light treatment upregulated expression of genes relating to lignin metabolism, enhancing lignin content compared with the white light treatment. The low blue light treatment had high petiole length, increased plant height and improved petiole strength arising from high lignin content, thus significantly increasing leaf dry weight relative to the white light treatment. Compared with white light, the treatment with the highest blue light ratio reduced plant height and enhanced plant support through increased cellulose and hemicellulose content in the stem. Under low light intensity, 20% blue light enhanced petiole length and strength to improve photosynthate biomass; whereas 50% blue light lowered plants’ centre of gravity, preventing lodging and conserving carbohydrate allocation.