Abstract:

This research investigated the physiological and biochemical diagnosis indices of the weak and senescent ancient pines, Pinus tabulaeformis which were expected to provide scientific basis for their rejuvenation and management. The annual pine needles were used as materials from healthy or weak pines with different ages in the Summer Palace in Beijing. The ratio of mass to length, chlorophyll content, MDA content, SOD activitiy of pine needles were measured. The results showed that, comparing with healthy pine, the senescing and weak one had irregular crown, soft and slim needles with higher ratio of mass to length, lower chlorophyll content and ratio of chlorophyll a/b. The MDA content increased with needle development during growth period, and was higher MDA content in senescing and weak ancient pines, The senescing pine had lower total SOD activitiy and SOD specific activitiy. It was summarized that the ratio of mass to length, chlorophyll content, MDA content, SOD activitiy of pine needles could be used as indices to diagnose the senescence and weakness of ancient pines.Finally it was discussed that these physiological indices were used to indicate the growth status of ancient pines.

Key words: ancient pines, Pinus tabulaeformis, weak, diagnosis, SOD, MDA