Abstract: [Objective] This study aimed to select the suitable key cultivation conditions for growth of Rhododendron moulmainense and provide technical support for landscape application of R. moulmainense.[Method] The split-plot experiment design was adopted with different shading (0%,20%,50%,80%) as the main plot and different soil water drainage (high bed and flat bed) as the subplot. The plant increment and photosynthetic characteristics of R. moulmainense. were measured.[Result] The results showed that under 50% shading with high bed, the branch increment was greatest, and chlt (total chlorophyll content), P_max(maximum net photosynthetic rate), AQY (apparent quantum yield), daily average P_n (net photosynthetic rate), daily average WUE (water use efficiency), and daily average P_n/PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) of R. moulmainense were relatively higher or the highest. The chla/chlb (chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b), LCP (light compensation point), LSP (light saturation point), and R_d (dark respiration rate) were relatively lower or the lowest. In contrast, under 0% shading with flat bed, the chlorophyll content, P_max, AQY, daily average P_n, daily average WUE, and daily average P_n/PAR of R. moulmainense were the lowest, and the basal stem increment chla/chlb, LCP, LSP, and Rd were the highest.In general, with enhancing of shading (moderate shading) and soil water drainage, the branch increment, chlorophyll content and RWC appeared the trend of increasing gradually, while the other indexes all appeared the trend of decreasing gradually.[Conclusion] It is concluded that Rhododendron moulmainense is suitable for growing in the habitat with 50% shading and high bed.

Key words: Rhododendron moulmainense, shading, soil water drainage, plant growth, P_n, photoresponse curve, P_n/PAR, WUE