Morphological and anatomical characteristics and pigment composition of Scotch pine needles in green stands of Krasnoyarsk city

Abstract

The studies of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles structure and chlorophylls and carotenoid contents were carried out in four districts of the city of Krasnoyarsk, differing in the level of technogenic load. It was shown, that the length of the needles decreases with an increase in technogenic impact. The width, thickness and cross-section area of the needles and the central cylinder also decrease with an increase in the degree of air pollution. It was found that the cross-section areas of the conducting bundles in the central cylinder, as a rule, are not equal, the differences are 9–12 % and are characterized by high individual variability. No significant correlation was found between the sizes of conducting bundles and the level of technogenic load. The number of resin ducts in needles decreases with an increase in technogenic impact that indicates a decrease in the protection of the assimilation apparatus from damage by pests and diseases. Determination of the content of photosynthetic pigments in pine needles in two districts of the city, differing in the level of pollution, did not show significant differences in the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Perhaps this is due to the peculiarities of the weather of this growing season – abundant summer rainfalls prevented the accumulation of pollutants on the surface and inside the needles. The noted changes in the size, anatomical structure and pigment composition of pine needles can be considered as a result of adaptation to growing conditions and weather factors.

Keywords

• city green stands
• pinus sylvestris l.
• photosynthetic pigments
• technogenic pollution
• needle anatomy