Chlorophyll and pheophytin content in needles of different age of trees growing under conditions of chronic industrial pollution

Abstract

Chlorophyll and pheophytin content was determined by means of Vernon method (Vernon, 1960) in needles of different age. Needles of Pinus strobus L., Pinus nigra Arnd., Pinus silvestris L., and Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco growing under conditions of chronic industrial pollution as well as under unpolluted conditions were examined. High pheophytin content was found in needles of trees growing under the conditions of chronic pollution. The youngest needles always showed the highest pheophytin content' as related to Chlorophyll content. The examined species showed different degree of Chlorophyll decomposition under the influence of polluted environment. Trees growing under control environment showed small and similar amounts of pheophytin in needles of different age. Pheophytin content does not seem to be a convenient indicator to test the effect of pollution before visual symptoms occur, since the method is very labourious and plant material very variable.