JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2022, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (2): 103-110.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202105048

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Variations in the contents of leaf pigments and polyphenols and photosynthesis traits in Cyclocarya paliurus with different leaf colors

XU Zhanhong(), ZHU Ying, JIN Huiying, SUN Caowen, FANG Shengzuo()   

  1. Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
  • Received:2021-05-29 Accepted:2021-10-02 Online:2022-03-30 Published:2022-04-08
  • Contact: FANG Shengzuo E-mail:stephenxu@njfu.edu.cn;fangsz@njfu.edu.cn

Abstract:

【Objective】Cyclocarya paliurus is a multi-functional tree species. To provide a theoretical basis for the breeding of C. paliurus, we examined differences in leaf pigments, flavonoid, and tannin concentrations and photosynthetic traits in two types of C. paliurus with different leaf colors.【Method】Based on seasonal dynamics of leaf growth, young and mature leaves of red-leafed C. paliurus and green-leafed C. paliurus were collected to determine anthocyanin, chlorophyll, carotenoid, tannin, and flavonoid concentration, and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and PSII maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of the four leaf types. The collected data were analyzed and compared across different leaf types using one-way analysis of variance.【Result】 Anthocyanin concentrations were significantly higher in red fresh leaves (RF) than that in three other leaf types (P < 0.05). However, the content of chlorophyll and carotenoid was significantly lower in RF than those in red mature leaves (RM) and green mature leaves (GM) (P < 0.05); however, the differences between RF and green fresh leaves (GF) were not significant. There were no significant differences between RM and GM regarding flavonoid and tannin content at most sampling times (P > 0.05), whereas the tannin content was significantly higher in RM than in GM in autumn (P < 0.05). RF had a lower total chlorophyll content due to pronounced accumulation of anthocyanins, however, no significant difference in net photosynthetic rates (Pn) between RF and GF (P > 0.05) and between RM and GM were observed (P > 0.05). 【Conclusion】 High anthocyanin concentrations were the main reason for red coloration of RF. There were some differences regarding tannin and flavonoid concentrations between red and green leaves of C. paliurus, but generally no significant difference was observed between them. During the RF phase, the polyphenol content was higher, however, there was no significant difference between red-leaf C. paliurus and green-leaf C. paliurus during most of the mature leaf phase (P > 0.05). Therefore, the phenotypic characteristics of red leaves can only provide a reference for screening superior individuals of C. paliurus for medicinal use. However, in July and August, anthocyanin contents in C. paliurus leaves remained relatively high, and the leaves showed a red coloration, thus showing a higher and relatively stable ornamental value compared with green-leaved C. paliurus.

Key words: Cyclocarya paliurus, leaf color, anthocyanins, flavonoid, tannins, photosynthesis traits

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