The study looked at how drought stress affects the growth and photosynthesis of Sophora japonica L. saplings. They found that drought inhibits sapling growth, with severe drought having the biggest impact. Photosynthetic pigments initially increased then decreased under drought. Drought also reduced the saplings' ability to use CO2. Soluble sugar and free proline levels increased during drought. Antioxidant enzyme levels rose and then fell, showing the saplings' response to stress.