Content of linolenic acid in senescing cherry leaves

Abstract

Leaves of incompatible cherry graft combinations ( Prunus avium L.) are characterized by a loss of chlorophyll at the end of June and beginning of July. In an attempt to identify key physiological factors associated with the observed leaf stress, chlorophyll, proline and fatty acid contents were evaluated. More chlorophyll was found in healthy than in stressed leaves; however, the latter had a higher proline concentration. The stressed leaves showed significantly reduced levels of linolenic acid compared with healthy leaves from mid-June to October.