Development and aging of photosynthetic apparatus of Vitis vinifera L. during growing season

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the development and aging of chosen grapevine leaves in situ during the growing season (130 d) using chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence measurements and determining the changes in pigment contents. During the course of photosystems development, the increase of Chl and decrease of anthocyanin contents in leaves was observed simultaneously. On 28th day, the maximum content of Chl and minimum content of anthocyanins was measured. However, the maximal photosynthetic performance was found one week later, when the content of Chl started to diminish. Our study proved that the achievement of maximal photosynthetic performance of each leaf took about quarter of organ life and this state lasted very shortly. In this work, we described and discussed for the first time the dynamics of Chl, anthocyanins, and flavonols combined with photosynthetic efficiency changes during the leaf life in situ.