Non-destructive analysis of photosynthetic pigments in Avena strigosa and Avena sativa

Abstract

Chlorophylls and carotenoids are the main photosynthetic pigments in plants. The photosynthetic potential of crop plants is used to determine the correct rate of nitrogen fertilization. To date, no studies have been conducted to understand the relationship between different methods of measurement of photosynthetic pigments in oats. The objective of this study was to quantify and compare the levels of photosynthetic pigments in Avena strigosa and A. sativa using two different methods, the extraction method and portable chlorophyll meter, and to determine whether the results of these two methods showed a significant correlation. Photosynthetic pigments were measured using both methods in a greenhouse and the laboratory at four developmental stages: tillering [28 days after sowing (DAS)], vegetative stage I (55 DAS), vegetative stage II (75 DAS), and reproductive stage (120 DAS). The same leaves were used to measure the relative chlorophyll content using a portable chlorophyll meter and extractable chlorophyll using the laboratory extraction method. The readings of the chlorophyll index differed for each developmental stage of both A. sativa and A. strigosa. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids determined using the extraction method showed high coefficients of correlation with the total chlorophyll index determined using the portable chlorophyll meter. Thus, the measurement of chlorophyll using the portable chlorophyll meter can be used for the accurate evaluation of the photosynthetic potential of oats, thus saving time and reagents.