Objective  This paper aims to find an effective method to improve the quality and rooting rate of cuttings and expand the reproduction coefficient by researching the effects of different light treatments on the quality of cuttings produced by Juniperus chinensis ‘Plumosa Aurea’.

  Method  The five-year-old J. chinensis ‘Plumosa Aurea’ stock plants were treated with full light condition, 30% shading, and 50% shading for 90 days. Statistics and analysis of the differences in plant morphology, growth changes, and cutting yield were carried out. The cuttings under different treatments were used for cutting under full light, combined with the rooting rate and rooting quality, comprehensive evaluation of the effects of different light treatments on cutting quality.

  Result  Light treatment had a great influence on the morphology, physiology and anatomical structure of the J. chinensis ‘Plumosa Aurea’ stock plant and cuttings. Under full light condition, the stock plant had a weak photosynthetic capacity, it could produce a large number of cuttings, while the cutting rooting rate was 0.00 due to high lignification degree of the cuttings. Photosynthetic capacity of stock plants under 30% shading treatment was the strongest in three treatment groups. The yield of stock plant was medium, the phloem of cutting was developed with strong differentiation ability, so that the cutting rooting rate could reach 76.00%. Under the 50% shading treatment, the stock plant had very weak photosynthesis and produced less number of cuttings. Although the formation layer of cutting strips was developed, the moisture content of the leaf and stem cortex was too high, and the nutrient content was low, resulting in a cutting rooting rate of only 28.44%. Among the three treatment groups, the 30% shading treatment significantly increased the cutting rooting rate of cuttings and the roots were healthy.

  Conclusion  The change of light intensity had an important effect on the growth and development of plants, especially for the golden leaf plants, shading treatment can affect the biomass distribution of plants, change the nutrient accumulation and tissue structure of new shoots. Different light treatments had a great impact on the growth state of the J. chinensis ‘Plumosa Aurea’ stock plant and the quality of the cuttings. After 30% shading treatment for 90 days, J. chinensis ‘Plumosa Aurea’ stock plants had stronger photosynthetic capacity and the abundant accumulation of nutrients, which can effectively improve the quality of cuttings and increase the rooting rate.