POLYCHROMATIC BOTANY // Variation of foliar colour of Codiaeum variegatum

in #steemstem4 years ago (edited)


Dear friends, followers and members of the Steem platform, in this installment on POLYCHROMATIC BOTANY, I will share biological elements related to foliar photoprotection strategies, which exhibit the leaf blades of the plant species Codiaeum variegatum (EUPHORBIACEAE).

Introduction

As it has been pointed out, in the previous posts on the subject of Polychromatic botany publication, the primary function of foliar pigments is to capture solar radiation and use it as an energy source to carry out the photosynthetic process, an ecophysiological event provider of a series of photo-assimilated, which are subsequently distributed by all vegetative and reproductive structures of plants, for optimal growth and development.

Within the photosynthetic process, there are Photo-selective mechanisms (biomolecules specialized in capturing light photons) whose ability to capture and energy absorption regime, depend on the quality and light intensity existing in certain natural ecosystems, biological aspect, which not only influences plant growth, development and production, but also in morphological changes [1].

Therefore, and taking into account that changes in the quality and light intensity, intervene in the morphological plasticity of plant species, the objective of the post is to socialize the variation of the foliar color of Codiaeum variegatum, as a foliar photoprotection strategy.

Polychromatic botany

The quality and light intensity, is one of the central approaches of study in polychromatic botany, this because, the different wavelengths of light that extend over the multiple biogeographic zones, cause an extensive range of colors in the leaf blades.

Such is the case of tropical and subtropical biogeographic zones, characterized by having intense light conditions, determining ecological scenario on; photosynthetic activity, growth rate, reproductive efficiency and variation of leaf coloration, this is because, at a higher light intensity, plant species incorporate biomolecules specialized in capturing these high photon ranges, in addition to increasing their area and foliar biomass [6].

Foliar coloring polymorphism

As mentioned earlier, plant species morphologically modify their leaf blades (morphological plasticity), this according to the quality and light intensity intercepted by their organizational structures, exhibiting leaf blades with different colors, color that is mediated, by the distribution of photons of cataract and reflected light [2].

Consequently, it has been deduced that foliar coloration is no more than a genetic orientation strategy in plant species, to balance some light conditions independently adverse or favorable to their physiological processes [7].

Foliar polychromatic photoprotection

Foliar coloration is genetically related as a photoprotection mechanism, an element that can be explained by placing the leaf blades, as devices that avoid excess light energy, thereby preventing the consequent deterioration of the photosynthetic apparatus [3].

These foliar devices, avoid excess light energy by showing photoprotection activities such as; increase in the concentration and effective action of biomolecules between these, anthocyanins, betalains and carotenoids, in order to respond to multiple ranges of light intensity.

Leaves as polychromatic structures

The leaf blades are fundamentally GREEN in reflecting this spectrum of light length, however, in some plant species according to the topographic location of the leaf blades in the plant, its definitive coloration is determined, as has been the case. in the vulgarly designated plant species Croton Codiaeum variegatum.

Fig. 2 Croton Codiaeum variegatum leaves (EUPHORBIACEAE). Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Although, the topographic location in the plant can influence the changes of foliar coloration by means of the captured and reflected wavelength, physiologically it is the quality and light intensity, which affects the leaf blades to generate the morphological modifications in terms of color , being influenced by photoreceptor biomolecules [4] .

Field polychromatic study

Fig. 3 Field polychromatic study - Codiaeum variegatum. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Species and study area

In order to socialize some strategies of polychromatic foliar photoprotection that show the plants, I will socialize with you all a study on the variation of the color that the leaves of the species Codiaeum variegatum (EUPHORBIACEAE) commonly known as Croton exhibit, the study area corresponds to the ornamental spaces of the Tierra Amada Granja Club tourist club, located in Santa Bárbara de Zulia - Venezuela.

Methodological approach

In order to be able to relate the evolutionary advantage expressed by the leaves, polychromatic observations were made in Croton Codiaeum variegatum foliar structures, the descriptive analyzes consisted of estimating the predominance and intensity of coloration, pattern of leaf coloration and biomass of the polychromatic sheet.

Polychromatic results

Predominance of leaf coloration

The YELLOW foliar color was much more abundant in the sampled individuals, followed by DEEP RED and GREEN, a predominance that is probably related to the different bands of the light radiation spectrum intercepted and reflected by the Croton Codiaeum variegatum plants.

Fig. 4 Croton Codiaeum variegatum (EUPHORBIACEAE) leaves with a predominance of yellow coloring. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Leaf coloring pattern

In approximation to the patterns of foliar coloration, more than one segment of light uptake was found in Croton Codiaeum variegatum plants, morphologically three (03) photoreceptor areas were appreciated, which for the purposes of this study were classified as follows:

Polychromatic segment I

This photoreceptor area, has YELLOW coloration with leaf blades located in the TOP ZONE of the plant specifically in the apical area of the stem, visually it was possible to appreciate an increase in leaf area with respect to the rest of the areas of the plant, aspect that allows to deduce that , is a photoprotection strategy considering the direct incidence of light energy to which this vegetative segment is exposed, a biological response that is probably related to a genetic ability of the Croton Codiaeum variegatum species, to guarantee growth, development and production against incidents of high light intensities.

Fig. 5 On the left, leaf apex of Croton Codiaeum variegatum (EUPHORBIACEAE) is detailed, on the right, leaf units of green coloration. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Polychromatic segment II

A second photoreceptor segment was determined, located in the MIDDLE AREA of the Croton Codiaeum variegatum plant, with an INTENSE RED coloration, with less developed leaf laminates in relation to those found in the upper region, an element associated with an intensity capture strategy minor light, derived from filtered light through apical photosynthetic structures.

Fig. 6 On the left is detailed leaf apex of Croton Codiaeum variegatum (EUPHORBIACEAE), on the right foliar units of intense red coloration. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Polychromatic segment III

The third photoreceptor area was found in the LOWER AREA of the plant, distinguishing a GREEN coloration in its laminar structures, and notable differences in leaf area in terms of size, when observing small leaf blades as opposed to those recorded in the intermediate and superior, this genetic ability of the species of Croton Codiaeum variegatum, may be associated with a strategy of foliar photoprotection of chlorophyllian pigments, as a consequence of the light intensity captured and dissipated by leaf blades exposed to the direct action of solar radiation.

Fig. 7 On the left, leaf apex of Croton Codiaeum variegatum (EUPHORBIACEAE) is detailed, on the right, yellow red leaf foliar units. Author: @lupafilotaxia.

Biomass of polychromatic sheets

The highest photosynthetically active foliar biomass found, was presented in Croton Codiaeum variegatum individuals, who exhibited leaf blades of YELLOW coloration, response that may be related to a strategy of foliar photoprotection, which guarantees photosynthetic activity in the rest of the vegetative leaflets of the species.

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS PUBLICATION


  • Under the conditions of the field-level study, it was possible to verify the morphological plasticity exhibited by the Croton Codiaeum variegatum foliar sheets, mainly through photoprotection strategies that follow a pattern of coloration with a model of three photoreceptor segments, arranged in the regions; upper, middle and lower apical of the plant, another element of contribution in the post, is related to the difference in size and fresh biomass found in the leaf blades in each photoreceptor area, when observing the largest indicators in the upper area of the plant (Polychromatic segment I), response linked to the presence and concentration of photoprotective pigments mainly anthocyanin biomolecules, which act by filtering and dissipating excess light energy. Finally, the post serves as a starting point for future research where measurement of other variables can be incorporated, such as; the efficiency and photosynthetic capacity of the three photoreceptor areas.


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED AND CITED:


[1] Jiao Y.; Lau O., and Deng X. Light-regulated transcriptional networks in higher plants. Nat. Rev. Genet. 2007;8:217-230.

[2] Chazdon R. Aspectos importantes para el estudio de los regímenes de luz en bosques tropicales. Revista de Biología Tropical. 1987;35:191-196.

[3] Logan B., Barker D., Demmig-Adams B., and Adams W. Acclimation of leaf carotenoid composition and ascorbate levels to gradients in the light environment within an Australian rainforest. Plant, Cell and Environment.1996;19:1083-1090.

[4] Takahashi H., Yamada H., Yoshida C., and Imamura T. Modification of light quality improves the growth and medicinal quality of clonal plantlets derived from the herbal plant Gentiana. Plant Biotechnology. 2012;29: 315-318.

[5] Abdus S., Hisashi S., Tetsuo D., Masatsugu Y., and Hideo Y. Croton Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Blume cultivars characterized by leaf phenotypic parameters. Scientia Horticulturae. 2011;132:71–79.

[6] Bradburne J., Kasperbauer M., and Mathis J. Reflected Far-Red light effects on cholorophyll and light-harvesting chlorophyll protein (LHCII) contents under field conditions. Plant Physiol. 1989;91;3:800-803.

[7] Deng M., Chen J., Henny R. and Li Q. Genetic relationships of Codiaeum variegatum cultivars analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. HortScience.2010;45:868–874.

[8] Fetcher N., Oberbauer S., Rojas G., y Strain B. Efectos del régimen de luz sobre la fotosíntesis y el crecimiento en plántulas de arboles de un bosque lluvioso tropical de Costa Rica. Revista de Biología Tropical. 1987;35: 97-110.

[9] Givnish T. Adaptation to sun and shade: a whole-plant perspective. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology.1988;15:63-92.


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Beautiful photos. They illustrate your discussion well. I think I'll look at leaves a little more closely now...though they are among my favorite things in the world. This just gives them a new dimension :)

Greetings @agmoore2, thank you for visiting the blog, the variety of colors displayed by plant organs, is one of the wonders of our natural mother.

My grandmother has a lot of these plants in her garden. They are beautiful!

Greetings @carloserp-2000, in effect the plants of Codiaeum variegatum, are very used to decorate gardens for the value of ornamentar of its leaves, also I have seen it embellishing the balconies of buildings.

They are beautiful but when you touch them then you feel a little itchy skin @lupafilotaxia

@carloserp-2000, the plants of Codiaeum variegatum have the particularity of producing toxic phyto-sunstances, which cause skin irritations. It is recommended not to detach or break the leaves to avoid contact with these phyto-substances.

@tipu curate 0.2

Posted using Partiko Android

Thank you for your support.

Nice as always! Thank you!

Greetings @chappertron, thank you for visiting the blog again. That's the idea, show the attractive side of the plant world.

This is a well-written article on polychromatic Botany. I wonder if this is an emerging area of Botany, I studied this under physiological plant ecology while in school. I have always known that leaf variegation is a form of genetic adaption to light conditions but I've never studied it in relation to a specific plant species such as this.

Keep up the good work!

The variegation of the leaves is mainly mediated by adaptation, but in addition to the genetic influence, the physiological relationship has also been inferred under certain edaphoclimatic conditions. In the botanical laboratory where I work, we have a line of research where we are making morphological contrasts in specimens that grow in tropical environments.

Thank you for your participation



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