SEASONAL PATTERNS OF PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE ACTIVITY AND TOTAL PHENOL AND TANNIN CONTENTS IN Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville

Abstract

We performed analyses of the leaves and stem bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens, a Brazilian Cerrado plant, to examine the seasonal patterns of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total phenol and tannin contents in 16 adult individuals under field conditions. The measurements of gas exchange parameters, including net photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance, as well as the photosynthetic photon flux density, leaf temperature, vapor pressure deficit and leaf water potential were also performed. The results were subjected to a principal component analysis. The values obtained for stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, transpiration, water use efficiency, minimum water potential and photosynthetic photon flux density were higher in the rainy season, while the maximum water potential and vapor pressure deficit in the atmosphere were similar between seasons. The seasonal variations in gas exchange characteristics were influenced by changing weather conditions and were positively correlated with higher air temperatures, rainfall amounts and relative air humidity and negatively correlated with increased insolation. There was no correlation between the maximum leaf water potential and any of the weather variables. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity was similar in the dry and rainy seasons, and higher levels of total phenols and tannins were observed in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total phenol contents were negatively influenced by temperature and rainfall in the dry season, and the total tannin contents were mainly correlated with higher temperatures and a lower influence of rainfall in the rainy season.