Seasonal Variation of Carbohydrate Content in Stem and Leaves of Almond (prunus Amygdalus L.)

Seasonal change of total carbohydrate contents in samples taken from leaves and stems of almond varieties was investigated. Carbohydrate contents in the leaves and stem of all varieties showed seasonal differences. The highest carbohydrate content in the leaves and stem of all varieties was found in April, and January, respectively. The lowest carbohydrate content in the leaves of Nonpareil was found in July, that of Ferragnes and Texas in October. The lowest level of carbohydrate content in the stem of all varieties was found in July. Almond is a significant fruit tree growing all regions with Mediterranean climate having importance in terms of both nutritional and medical properties (Agunbiade and Olanlakun 2006, Mısırlı and Gülcan 2000, Dokuzoğuz and Gülcan 1973). Seasonal variations in temperature, day length, precipitation, moisture, and wind affect reproductive and physiological processes in plants (Forshey and Elfving 1989, Gur 1985). Carbohydrate reserves in almond trees is a factor limiting the development in early spring; and the fact that carbohydrate reserves decrease due to decrease in photosynthesis in case of drought (Esparza et al. 2001). Determination of carbohydrate contents in almond varieties depending on changing climatic conditions may be important in terms of growing these plants, continuity and product yield. The objective of this study was to investigate the seasonal carbohydrate variations in leaves and stem of Nonpareil, Ferragnes and Texas varieties grown of almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) in Adiyaman/Turkey. Samples were taken from the stem (April, July, October, January) and leaves (April, July, October) from three varieties namely, Nonpareil, Ferragnes and Texas of almond grown in village Lokman of Adıyaman, Turkey between 2011 and 2012. January, no sampling was made since the plants did not have the leaves. Average meteorological conditions in sampling periods were as follows; in April, temperature, 13.9oC; humidity, 63.8%; total rainfall 119.2 mm, in July, temperature, 32.2°C; humidity, 22.1%; total rainfall 1.1 mm, in October, temperature, 17.7oC; humidity, 40.1%; total rainfall 40.8 mm and in January, temperature, 3.7°C; humidity, 77.8%; total rainfall 333.5 mm. Fresh leaf and stem samples were dried for 48 hrs at 70°C. Total carbohydrate was extracted according to McCready et al. (1950). Total carbohydrate content were determined depending on standard glucose equivalence by reading their absorbance at 625 and 630 nm (Ebell 1969, McCready et al. 1950). The data obtained from three replications of all treatments was subjected to the analysis of variance using SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Duncan’s test was used for significance control (p < 0.05) following variance analysis. The highest level of carbohydrate contents in leaves and stems of all three almond varieties were recorded in April and January, respectively (Fig. 1). The lowest carbohydrate content in the *Author for correspondence: . Graduate School of Sciences, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey. 224 SIVACI AND DUMAN October April July January To ta l c ar bo hy dr at es (m g g 1 D W ) 0 20 40 60 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Nonpareil Ferragnes Texas