Changes in nutrition and pigment complex in pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles under technogenic pollution in Irkutsk region, Russia

ABSTRACT

The study is aimed to identify changes in pigment complex of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles in disturbance of nutrition status under atmospheric pollution. The studies were performed in the territory of the Irkutsk region (Eastern Siberia, Russia), where several large industrial centers are located. The level of S, F, Fe, Al, Pb, Cd, Hg, N, Ca, Mg was shown to increase in pine needles under technogenic pollution, with the content of P, K, Mn, conversely, decreasing. Disturbances in pigment complex of the polluted trees needles are demonstrated by the reduction of Chl a, Chl b, carotenoids, chlorophyll share in light-harvesting complex, maximal chlorophyll fluorescence F_m and F_v/F_m proportion, while Chl a/Chl b and Chl/Carotenoids proportions rise as compared to background values; in the first case – due to decrease of Chl b level, in the second case – due to decrease of carotenoids level. Reverse correlations were identified between contents of S, F, Hg, Pb, Cd, Fe, Al in the needles and pigment level (r = −0.51–0.95). Disturbance of nutrition status and changes in needle pigment complex entail reduction of growth parameters (needle length and mass, shoots length, number of needles on the shoots). It is concluded that impact of atmospheric technogenic pollutants results in systemic disturbance of plant organism functioning.

KEYWORDS:

• Nutrition status
• pigment complex
• chlorophyll fluorescence
• scots pine
• atmospheric pollution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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