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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2015, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (8): 44-51.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20150806

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Physiological and Biochemical Changes in Zelkova serrata Leaves during Leaf color Transformation in Autumn

Zhang Min1, Huang Libin1, Zhou Peng2, Qian Meng3, Dou Quanqin1   

  1. 1. Jiangsu Academy of Forestry Nanjing 211153;
    2. College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037;
    3. Life Science Laboratory Center, Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing 210095
  • Received:2014-10-11 Revised:2015-03-08 Online:2015-08-25 Published:2015-09-10

Abstract:

[Objective] In this study, we investigated the physiological and biochemical mechanisms of leaf colorization of Zelkova serrata in autumn to provide theoretical foundation for the breeding of colored-leaf trees, and reference for cultivation and management strategies for improving ornamental characteristics and extending ornamental period of Z. serrata leaves. [Method] The pigment composition, contents of carbohydrate and mineral elements in red, yellow and green-colored leaves from the individual tree of Z. serrata were investigated. [Result] 1) The pigment composition of different individual trees was different. Chlorophyll content maintained a relatively high level in the green-colored leaves as compared with red and yellow-colored leaves (P<0.05), and the ratios of anthocyanins to chlorophyll and carotenoids to chlorophyll were lowest. Anthocyanins content increased significantly in red-colored leaves, and the ratio of anthocyanins to chlorophyll was higher than that in the other two colored-leaves. Carotenoids content was stable in yellow-colored leaves, and the ratio of carotenoids to chlorophyll was highest among the three colored-leaves. The ratio of anthocyanins to chlorophyll was between that of green and red-colored leaves. The results suggested that differences in leaf color of Z. serrata were combined effects of ratios of anthocyanins to chlorophyll and carotenoids to chlorophyll. 2) The correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the ratio of anthocyanins to chlorophyll chla and total chlorophyll in the green-colored leaves (P<0.05), indicating that stable chla content played a primary role in colorization of green-colored leaves. In addition, the content of anthocyanins and the ratio of anthocyanins to chlorophyll was negatively correlated with temperature, starch and nitrogen content. In the red-colored leaves, the ratio of anthocyanins to chlorophyll was positively correlated with the content of anthocyanins (P <0.01) and slightly negatively correlated with chlorophyll content (P>0.05). It was showed that increase in the content of anthocyanins was the main reason for the red color of red-colored leaves. Moreover, negative correlations were observed between anthocyanins content and temperature and nitrogen (P<0.05), while the anthocyanins content was positively correlated with the concentration of sucrose, phosphorus and potassium. Additionally, a significantly positive correlation was observed between chlorophyll content and the length of daytime. There were positive correlations between carotenoids and the contents of carbohydrate and nitrogen in the yellow-colored leaves. [Conclusion] The leaf color of the individual tree of Z. serrata in autumn was controlled by several factors, among which changes in pigment composition and contents were the direct cause, while temperature, contents of carbohydrate and mineral elements were important internal and external factors. The study may provide reference for cultivation and management of Z. serrata.

Key words: Zelkova serrata, leaf color, pigment, carbohydrate, mineral element

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