Carotenoid Composition of Needles of Picea abies L. Showing Signs of Photodamage

The pigment composition of needles of Picea abies L. taken from sites in the Bavarian forest has been determined. Needles were removed from (a) healthy, control trees, (b) trees which showed visible signs of damage for either 6 months or 3.5 years, and (c) trees which had received supplemental fertilizer application. In general, needles taken from these trees could be placed into three categories; (i) green, (ii) partially chlorotic, and (iii) partially necrotic (brown). Whilst the pigment composition of needles taken from healthy trees was typical of any higher plant, substantial changes in the chlorophyll and carotenoid content of the damaged needles were recorded. Particularly noticeable was an increase in the ratio of total carotenoid/chlorophyll and losses of neoxanthin and violaxanthin. Levels of total carotene (α- and β-carotene) and, especially, of lutein remained high in damaged needles. Levels of zeaxanthin were highest in the brown, partially necrotic, needles.