Abstract
The study concerned an evergreen herbal plant <i>Waldsteinia trifolia</i> Roch. This species can be found more and more often in garden plantings in Poland. The aim of the study was to estimate the content of photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanins and dry matter as well as the permeability of cytoplasmatic membranes of <i>Waldsteinia</i> leaves. Plants grew in an ornamental plant collection at the premises of the Faculty of Horticulture of the Agricultural University in Kraków. The study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 in the following months: March, May, June, September, October and November. The permeability of cytoplasmatic membranes was estimated based on electrolyte leakage from leaf discs at 20°C in relation to total electrolytes in the tissue after unfreezing. The first days with temperature drops down to around 0°C in autumn resulted in a decrease in chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid content, but significantly increased anthocyanin content. The ratio of chlorophyll a to b and the ratio of total chlorophylls to carotenoids did not change in particular months. In both years of study, similar changes in dry matter content of the <i>Waldsteinia</i> leaves were observed. Dry matter content significantly increased in June and November and decreased in May and October. In June and in autumn, after first slight frosts, an increase of electrolyte leakage from the leaf discs was observed. However, high dry matter content (40.3%) was accompanied by lower permeability of the cytoplasmatic membranes of the leaves after winter during March. These results have shown good adaptation of <i>Waldsteinia trifolia</i> plants to the climatic conditions in Poland.
Highlights
Poland is situated in the moderate climate zone, transitional between the maritime and continental climates
In September 2007 over 30% less chlorophylls and carotenoids were noted in the Waldsteinia leaves compared to the May and June dates
The results obtained in the present study show that plants increase the synthesis of anthocyanins at temperatures close to 0°C, which are often accompanied by photooxidative stress in our climate
Summary
Poland is situated in the moderate climate zone, transitional between the maritime and continental climates. In spring and summer months air temperature quite frequently exceeds 30°C. Such weather variability, and large diurnal temperature fluctuations, which sometimes occur, may cause disturbances in the growth and development of plants, including evergreen plants. Large diurnal temperature fluctuations, which sometimes occur, may cause disturbances in the growth and development of plants, including evergreen plants Leaves of these plants, living several years on average, are characterised by specific physiological activity associated, for example, with the annual course of photosynthesis.
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