Abstract:

Content of anthocyanin, chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid, dynamic change of pigments, soluble sugars and nine mineral elements were measured in different color leaves of different trees of Pistacia chinensis. The relationship between the leaf color and all chemical components was discussed. The results indicated that the chlorophyll and carotenoid shared the same changing trend. There were three types of changes in anthocyanin content: smooth, increasing and surging. Among nine mineral elements, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, and zinc had the bigger influence on the anthocyanin content. Soluble sugars and phosphorus was prominently and positively correlated to total anthocyanin content; whereas nitrogen had negative correlation with total anthocyanin content. There was a negative relationship between soluble sugar and chlorophyll, carotenoid, and a positive relationship between nitrogen and chlorophyll, carotenoid.

Key words: Pistacia chinensis, pigment, soluble sugar, mineral element