title: Thiol content of spruce needles at forest limits.
abstract: We determined the water-soluble thiol (SH) content and the osmolality of the cell sap in spruce trees of both low- and high-altitude origin that were transplanted to two test areas at different altitudes (400 m and 1700 m). There was little or no significant difference in SH content and osmotic value between trees of low- or high-altitude origin at the same altitude, but the sulfhydryl (SH) content varied with the altitude of cultivation, being higher at 1700 m than at 400 m. SH content and osmotic value were higher in winter, independent of altitude and provenance. The annual pattern of water-soluble and protein-bound SH content and glutathione reductase activity was measured in spruce trees at 1700 m; these values also peaked in winter and were lowest in summer.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pflanzenphysiologie der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Schubertstrasse 51, A-8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grill
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pflanzenphysiologie der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Schubertstrasse 51, A-8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pfeifhofer
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pflanzenphysiologie der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Schubertstrasse 51, A-8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tschulik
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pflanzenphysiologie der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Schubertstrasse 51, A-8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellig
authors.affiliation: Forstiche Bundesversuchsanstalt, Institut für Forstpflanzenzüchtung und Genetik, A-1140, Wien-Mariabrunn, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holzer
keywords: Annual rhythm; Glutathione reductase; Osmotic value; Picea abies; Thiols