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Abstract

Lonicera caerulea is a perennial deciduous shrub of both medicinal and edible value, widely distributed on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain. Plant growth in this region is influenced by soil properties and climatic factors at different elevations; however, studies addressing the responses of L. caerulea along altitudinal gradients in this area remain lacking. In this study, leaves of L. caerulea were collected from elevations ranging from 800 to 1800 m on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, China, to investigate physiological and biochemical responses. Specifically, soluble protein content, soluble sugar content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide anion levels, and plasma membrane permeability were measured and statistically analyzed in relation to environmental factors (soil properties and climatic parameters). Results showed that soluble protein and soluble sugar contents increased initially and then declined with rising altitude. MDA content first increased, then decreased, and subsequently increased again with elevation. Superoxide anion levels decreased initially but rose again at higher elevations. Plasma membrane permeability first decreased and then increased, and was primarily influenced by total soil potassium content. These results indicate that leaf traits of L. caerulea can adapt to local habitats across different altitudinal gradients. Overall, plant growth at both low and high elevations on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain is more strongly constrained by environmental factors, leading to poorer performance, whereas growth conditions are more favorable at mid-elevations. Therefore, expanding the cultivation of L. caerulea in mid-altitude regions could improve fruit yield and quality.

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