ABSTRACT Light is essential for providing energy for photosynthetic reactions and has a complex and not yet fully understood effect on heliconia growth and yield. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of light intensity on the growth and photosynthesis of heliconia under semi-arid conditions and to screen potential genotypes tolerant to high solar irradiation levels during the vegetative stage. The experiment was conducted in Petrolina, PE, Brazil, whose geographic coordinates are 09° 19’ 14” S, 40° 32’ 40” W, with an average altitude of 387 m. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks, arranged in a split-plot scheme, and the treatments were composed of two light intensities (full sun and 50% shading) and five genotypes (Heliconia psittacorum x H. spathocircinata cv. Golden Torch; H. psittacorum cv. Red Opal; H. bihai cv. Lobster Claw Two; H. rauliniana and H. rostrata). Growth and gas exchange assessments were conducted on the 100th day after the trial initiation. Light intensity (full sun and 50% shading) did not influence the rates of photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), or transpiration (E) of plants. However, the isolated effect of the genotype revealed that plants of cv. Red Opal, H. bihai, H. rauliniana, and cv. Golden Torch had higher values of A, gs, and E. Overall, shading improved plant growth. We conclude that the genotypes H. psittacorum cv. Red Opal, and H. psittacorum cv. Golden Torch exhibited the greatest tolerances to high solar irradiance conditions.

ABSTRACT Light is essential for providing energy for photosynthetic reactions and has a complex and not yet fully understood effect on heliconia growth and yield. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of light intensity on the growth and photosynthesis of heliconia under semi-arid conditions and to screen potential genotypes tolerant to high solar irradiation levels during the vegetative stage. The experiment was conducted in Petrolina, PE, Brazil, whose geographic coordinates are 09° 19’ 14” S, 40° 32’ 40” W, with an average altitude of 387 m. The experimental design used was in randomized blocks, arranged in a split-plot scheme, and the treatments were composed of two light intensities (full sun and 50% shading) and five genotypes (Heliconia psittacorum x H. spathocircinata cv. Golden Torch; H. psittacorum cv. Red Opal; H. bihai cv. Lobster Claw Two; H. rauliniana and H. rostrata). Growth and gas exchange assessments were conducted on the 100th day after the trial initiation. Light intensity (full sun and 50% shading) did not influence the rates of photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs), or transpiration (E) of plants. However, the isolated effect of the genotype revealed that plants of cv. Red Opal, H. bihai, H. rauliniana, and cv. Golden Torch had higher values of A, gs, and E. Overall, shading improved plant growth. We conclude that the genotypes H. psittacorum cv. Red Opal, and H. psittacorum cv. Golden Torch exhibited the greatest tolerances to high solar irradiance conditions.