Juvenile Leaf Color Changes and Physiological Characteristics of Acer tutcheri (Aceraceae) during the Spring Season

Leaf color is a key trait that determines the ornamental quality of landscape tree species such as Acer tutcheri, and anthocyanin main pigment for red leaf coloration. Red fading significantly reduces value A. tutcheri leaves in spring; however, physiological mechanism causes discoloration this still unclear. Only anabolic or degradative metabolism has been studied terms changes. In study, from four color-change stages during spring were selected by average sampling method, which involves measuring analyzing content factors related to metabolism, aiming clarify Our results show reduced anthocyanin/chlorophyll ratio was direct cause spring. The carbohydrates synthesized growth juvenile mainly used their development, whereas fewer carbon sources synthesis anthocyanin. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase chalcone isomerase activities increased early development decreased middle late stages, peroxidase activity continued increase. decrease synthesis-related enzyme accumulation anthocyanin, increase degradation-related accelerated depletion Increasing vacuole pH major factor degradation characteristics season suggest affecting presentation leaves, result joint effect metabolism.