[Photosynthetic pigment contents of different germplasm of Rehmannia glutinosa and the relationship between pigments and leaf color].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the germplasm of Rehmannia glutinosa on the basis of photosynthetic pigment contents (PPC).


METHODS
20 cultivars were planted on the same condition. On Oct. 23 and Sept. 25, 3 leaves per cultivar were collected on different plants, and 80 mg mesophyll was collected among upper lateral veins and was ground in 96% alcohol, and the supernatant was subjected to measure on a spectrophotometer (Angilent 8453).


RESULTS
The PPCs among cultivars were significantly different at a P < or = 0.01 level. The results of the measurements were similar. Chlolophyll a was the most abundant pigment, but varied to a great extent among different cultivars. 20 cultivars were divided into 9 homogeneous groups according to the contents of chlorophyll a by Duncan's multiple range test at P < or = 0.05. In addition, the content of chlorophyll a was closely related to leaf color. The cultivars with higher chlolophyll a had deep green leaves, and those with lower had yellow green or pale green leaves.


CONCLUSIONS
PPC was an inherent character and an important index for the germplasm evaluation of R. glutinosa.
Wen
Xue-sen
XS
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China. x.s.wen@163.com
Lou
Hong-xiang
HX
Yang
Shi-lin
SL
Li
Xian-en
XE
Cheng
Xiu-min
XM
Xu
Li-zhen
LZ
Zheng
Jun-hua
JH
D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis*; D003116:Color; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*; D032267:Rehmannia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development*
D010860:Pigments, Biological; D002734:Chlorophyll