[Effect of light on the growth and stem flowering rate of mat rush]

Stem length and whether it flowered are two key elements for mat rush quality. The results indicated that different photoperiod and light intensity significantly affected these two ones. In the early growing stage, day extension significantly increased stem flowering rate, lower light intensity by shading reduced the number of tillers, stem length, stem flowering rate and the number of florets per cyme. In the middle and late growing stage, shading within some degree could increase stem length and reduced stem flowering rate. It is suggested that light was one of important ecological factors to result in flowering transition and to affect the quality of mat rush.