ISHS Acta Horticulturae 769: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential
PIGMENT DISTRIBUTION IN FRESH SHOOT TISSUES OF FOUR COLORED LEAF PRUNUS TAXA |
| Authors: | Y.M. Li, X.L. Qu, X.L. Li, L. Guo, X. Shen |
| Keywords: | colorful plant, Prunus persica f. atropurpurea, P. mume 'Meirenmdi', P. ×cistena 'Pissardii', P. cerasifera 'Pissardii', anthocyanin, tissue section |
| Abstract:
Prunus persica f. atropurpurea, P. mume ‘Meirenmdi’, P. ×cistena ‘Pissardii’, and P. cerasifera ‘Pissardii’ are popular ornamental plants that have colored leaves during their growing seasons. However, the pigment distribution, which contributes to the coloration of these plants’ leaves, has not been fully documented. The distribution patterns of anthocyanins in one-year-old branches, petioles and leaves from the above four taxa were examined under a microscope. Their morphological characteristics were also documented. Each taxon has its own unique anthocyanin distribution and concentration patterns for each type of tissue. A higher concentration of anthocyanin can be found in the upper epidermis of P. persica f. atropurpurea and P. mume ‘Meirenmdi’, while a lower concentration of anthocyanins can be found in the upper epidermis of P. ×cistena ‘Pissardii’ and P. cerasifera ‘Pissardii’. In general, the concentration of pigment increased in branches as the distance from the base of the branch increased. Anthocyanins were observed at the pith of branch tips for all taxa except for P. persica f. atropurpurea. Morphologically, leaf color differences among the four taxa, as well as leaf color tint and duration, were regulated by the distribution and concentration pattern of anthocyanins in epidermal cells. As anthocyanin concentration increases, leaf color becomes deeper and brighter and the plant’s growing season is also extended. | |
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