Variation in Leaf Pigment Complex Traits of Wetland Plants Is Related to Taxonomy and Life Forms

The leaf pigment complex traits of 44 wetland plant species from the Middle Urals (Russia) were studied to analyze their diversity in relation to taxonomy and life forms. The chlorophyll content per dry weight (Chl(DW)) and leaf area (Chl(Area)), the ratio of chlorophylls a and b, and CO2 uptake rates (A(DW)) were determined. Chl(DW) varied by 10-fold from 2.20 to 21.9 mg g(-1) among the wetland plant species. The influence of taxonomy at the level of classes on the variation of the pigment complex traits was revealed. Dicots had greater Chl(DW) and had a greater proportion of chlorophylls in the light-harvesting complex (Chl(LHC)) than monocots. In dicots, Chl(LHC) was positively correlated with leaf area ratio (r = 0.63, p < 0.01), and the effect of life forms on the content and ratio of pigments was determined. In monocots, chlorophyll content was positively correlated with A(DW) (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) and plant height (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). In monocots, the effect of families on the pigment content was observed. The lack of differences in Chl(Area) between the different systematic groups and life forms indicates a similar ability of the leaf area unit to absorb a solar energy.

Automated summary

The leaf pigment complex traits of wetland plant species from the Middle Urals were studied. It was found that taxonomy and life forms influenced the variation of these traits. Dicots had higher chlorophyll content and a greater proportion of chlorophylls in the light-harvesting complex. Monocots showed a positive correlation between chlorophyll content, CO2 uptake rates, and plant height. The leaf area unit had a similar ability to absorb solar energy across different systematic groups and life forms.