Morphophysiological Acclimation of Developed and Senescing Beech Leaves to Different Light Conditions

Common beech is a shade-tolerant tree species that can adapt to varying light intensities at the level of whole plants, crown fragments, and individual leaves. The acclimation abilities morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics leaves were experimentally determined in crowns for different levels availability. About 24% higher length, width, area about 35% thickness recorded sun compared with shade Lower earlier maximum leaf pigment levels, faster degradation pigments during senescence, chlorophyll a/b ratio observed fully sun-grown growing deeper canopy. Changes intensity oxidative stress differential ability developing senescing defend against this effect under conditions determined. This resulted redox imbalance senescence outer parts crowns. Due ascorbic acid glutathione content slower activity loss antioxidative enzymes involved superoxide anion hydrogen peroxide decomposition, better control over balance, stress, induction was noted