Seasonal changes of pigments concentration in the leaves of "Vaccinium myrtillus" and "Vaccinium vitisidaea" and the influence of industrial emissions

Abstract

The current-year leaves of both Vaccinium species show a similar chlorophyll a level in summer, ca. 3.0 mg/g d.w., however, they differ in the earliest period of possible analysis. The Vaccinium myrtillus leaves showed at that time a level of ca. 6 mg/g d.w., decreasing by one half in mid June, i.e. in the period in which the fastest increase in leaf dry matter was noted. Autumn depression reaches about 20°/o. The pigment level in biennial leaves of Vaccinium vitis-idaea is rather constant and typical of the current year ones, in the triennial leaves it is lower by ca. 20%. Zinc- -plant emissions influence differently the two species, both showing some defence reaction. Chlorophyll b level, in summer in the range of 1.6- -1.9 mg/g d.w., shows seasonal changes rather similar to those of chlorophyll a.