Yearly fluctuation of leaf greenness in guamúchil, as an indicator of leaf chlorophyll level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35197/rx.22.01.2026.02.ofKeywords:
legume tree, tropical forest, chlorophyll, Pithecellobium dulce, SPADAbstract
Pithecellobium dulce is a Mexican native tree species well adapted to dry environments. Recently, it has been suggested as a good source to forest and reforest different areas types. Aim of present research was to determine the annual fluctuations in foliar SPAD values and the possible influence of some environmental factors, as well as the relationship between the SPAD values and chlorophyll content. From January to December, 2023, SPAD values were measured in three leaf ages: red young, green young, and green mature in 19 P. dulce trees growing in Zumpahuacán, Mexico. From January to December, 2024, only the green mature leaves of 5 trees were employed; sample reduction was determined by higher tree height. Thereafter, leaves were classified according their SPAD values; and it was determined their foliar area, fresh weight and chlorophyll (total, a, and b) content. The green mature leaves presented higher SPAD values but green young leaves had the highest area and fresh weight. In 2023, the green mature leaves presented higher fluctuation on their SPAD values, having maximum values from June to July. Thereafter, in that year, SPAD values were correlated, Pearson test (0.001), with sun light hours (0.890), rain (0.850), and minimum temperature (0.721). Although in 2024, there was a SPAD maximum values on July and August, annual fluctuation was not so deeply, thus no correlation with environmental factors was observed. The SPAD values matched a simple linear regression with the content of total chlorophyll (0.940), chlorophyll a (0.930) and chlorophyll b (0.900).
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