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

Abstract

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 (ChlDW) and leaf area (ChlArea), the ratio of chlorophylls a and b, and CO2 uptake rates (ADW) were determined. ChlDW 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 ChlDW and had a greater proportion of chlorophylls in the light-harvesting complex (ChlLHC) than monocots. In dicots, ChlLHC 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 ADW (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 ChlArea between the different systematic groups and life forms indicates a similar ability of the leaf area unit to absorb a solar energy.