The purpose of this study was to determine total pigment contents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), phenolic compounds and carbohydrate contents in leaves and stem of wild and cultivated almonds growing in the Adıyaman Province. Levels of chlorophyll a in leaves and stems of wild almond were found to be higher than cultivated almond. Chlorophyll b was determined to be at approximate levels for both almonds. While carotenoid levels in leaves of wild almond were higher than cultivated one, it was higher in stems of cultivated almond as well. Total phenolics in leaves and stems of wild almond were higher compared to cultivated almond. Total carbohydrate contents were higher in leaves and stems of cultivated almond in comparison with the wild almond. Article Citation: Aysel Sivaci Comparison of some physiological parameters in leaves and stems of wild and cultivated almonds growing in Adiyaman Province/Turkey Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(2): 222-226. Full Text: http://plantsciences.co.in/documents/PS0063.pdf

1. Article Citation:
Aysel Sivaci
Comparison of some physiological parameters in leaves and stems of wild and
cultivated almonds growing in Adiyaman Province/Turkey
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(2): 222-226
Comparison of some physiological parameters in leaves and stems of wild
and cultivated almonds growing in Adiyaman Province/Turkey
Keywords:
Almonds, carbohydrates, photosynthetic pigments, phenolics.
222-226 | JRPS | 2013 | Vol 2 | No 2
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Authors:
Aysel Sivaci
Institution:
Department of Biology,
Art and Science Faculty,
Adiyaman University,
Adiyaman, Turkey.
Corresponding author:
Aysel Sivaci
Email Id:
Web Address:
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documents/PS0063.pdf. Dates:
Received: 20 Sep 2013 Accepted: 04 Oct 2013 Published: 11 Oct 2013
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences An International Scientific Research Journal
Original Research
JournalofResearchinPlantSciences
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this study was to determine total pigment contents
(chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), phenolic compounds and carbohydrate
contents in leaves and stem of wild and cultivated almonds growing in the Adıyaman
Province. Levels of chlorophyll a in leaves and stems of wild almond were found to be
higher than cultivated almond. Chlorophyll b was determined to be at approximate
levels for both almonds. While carotenoid levels in leaves of wild almond were higher
than cultivated one, it was higher in stems of cultivated almond as well. Total
phenolics in leaves and stems of wild almond were higher compared to cultivated
almond. Total carbohydrate contents were higher in leaves and stems of cultivated
almond in comparison with the wild almond.

2. INTRODUCTION
Almond is cultivated for both commercial and
domestic consumption in temperate and sub-tropic zones
of the world (Yada et al., 2011). Almond belongs to the
family Rosaceae is cultivated all around the world.
Almonds are grown in every region owing to different
ecological conditions of Turkey (Ercisli, 2004).
Numerous studies reported that fruit yield, morphology,
and some physiological parameters in plants change
according to species (Baninasab and Rahemi, 2007;
Barreira et al., 2008; Abaspour et al., 2012). Chemical
content of almond kernel depends on cultivar, ecological
conditions and different ripening harvest (Soler
et al., 1988; Aslantas et al., 2001).
Climate changes experienced in recent years will
restrict the production of plants in the world. Thus, it is
significant to determine plant species resistant to harsh
conditions. For this purpose, it was aimed to compare
some physiological parameters, which are significant in
growth and development, in resistance of wild and
cultivated almonds growing under the same ecological
circumstances. This study determined pigments
(chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), total
carbohydrates, and phenolics in leaves and stems of wild
and cultivated almonds.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant materials
Samples were collected from stems and leaves of
wild and cultivar almonds grown in Lokman village of
Adiyaman (37° 42' 15'' N, 38°19' 11'' E, 1920 feet) in
2011-2012.
Determination the pigments
Samples were extracted according to the method
of De Kok and Graham (1989). The absorbance values of
the samples were measured at 662, 645 and 470 nm and
calculated according to the method described by
Lichtenthaler and Wellburn (1983). All analyses were
made in triplicate.
Determination of total carbohydrate contents
Soluble sugar analysis
Leaf and stem samples of wild and cultivar
almonds were extracted according to McCready et al.,
(1950). The amount of samples were determined
depending on standard glucose equivalence by reading
their absorbance at 625 nm (Ebell, 1969).
Starch analysis
Starch was extracted according to McCready
et al., (1950) and determined depending on standard
glucose equivalent by reading their absorbance in
630 nm. Starch amounts were calculated by multiplying
the values found in glucose equivalent with 0.92
(McCready et al., 1950). All analyses were made in
triplicate.
Determination of total phenolic compounds
Leaf and stem samples were homogenized in
2.5 ml ethanol and shaken in water bath at 25°C for
24 h. Homogenized samples were filtered. 1 ml ethanol,
5 ml distilled water and 1 ml Folin-Ciocalteu reagent
were added to 1 ml of the filtered samples and shaken
well. After three minutes, 3 ml of Na2CO3 (2%, w/v) was
added and shaken in a dark medium at intervals for
two hours. Absorbance values were measured at 760 nm
for phenolic compounds and amounts were determined
according to standard gallic acid equivalence (Slinkard
Sivaci, 2013
223 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(2): 222-226
Pigments Chl a (mg g-1
FW) Chl b (mg g-1
FW) Carotenoids (mg g-1
FW)
Wild almond 2.16 ± 0.27a
0.26 ± 0.05b
0.46 ± 0.01a
Cultivated almond 0.99 ± 0.17b
0.29 ± 0.00a
0.34 ± 0.05b
Table 1. Photosynthetic pigment contents in leaves of cultivated and wild almonds (mg g-1
FW; Fresh weight)
(It was found that the values shown with different letters are important in terms of statistics (p <0.05),
Chl a; Chlorophyll a, Chl b; Chlorophyll b

3. and Singleton, 1977; Chandler and Dodds, 1983). All
analyses were made in triplicate.
Statistical Analysis
All analyses in this study were performed in
three replicates. SPSS version 15.0 was used for
statistical analyses. To determine the differences between
the means student t-test with a 95% confidence was used.
In the analyses, differences with p <0.05 were considered
to be significant.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Change of pigments in leaf and stem
It was found that levels of Chl a in leaves of
cultivated and wild almonds were different from each
other (p<0.05). Levels of Chl b were close to each other,
as well. While Chl a in wild almond leaves was
2.16 mg g-1
, it was 0.99 mg g-1
in cultivated almonds.
Levels of Chl b were 0.26 mg g-1
in wild almond and
0.29 mg g-1
in cultivated almonds. It was found that
carotenoid levels in wild almond was higher compared to
cultivated ones (p<0.05) (Table 1). Levels of Chl a in
stems of cultivated and wild almonds showed differences
(p<0.05) (Table 2). Chl a was 1.00 mg g-1
in stems of
wild almond and 0.13 mg g-1
in stems of cultivated
almond. Levels of Chl b in both almonds were close to
each other as well (p>0.05). It was determined as
0.06 mg g-1
in wild almond, and 0.06 mg g-1
in cultivated
almond. Carotenoid levels in wild almond were lower
compared to cultivated ones (p>0.05) (Table 2). Pigment
amounts of plants vary based on species, environment,
and age of leaf (Kramer and Kozlowski, 1979). In their
study, Camposeo et al., (2005) determined that there
were significant differences between wild and cultivated
almonds in terms of leaf area, stoma density and size. It
was found that pigments (Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoids)
had differences in wild and cultivated almonds in this
study as well (Tables 1 and 2). The fact that there were
different pigment levels for both almonds may be an
indicator for different photosynthesis rates.
Change of total carbohydrates in leaf and stem
Carbohydrate levels were determined to be lower
in leaves and stems of wild almond compared to
cultivated almond (p<0.05) (Tables 3 and 4). It was
67.04 mg g- 1
in leaves of wild almond, and 84.42 mg g-1
in leaves of cultivated almond (Table 3). It was
determined as 40.69 mg g-1
in stems of wild almond, and
56.74 mg g-1
in stems of cultivated almond (Table 4).
Soluble sugars and starch had differences in leaves and
stems of wild and cultivated almonds (p<0.05) (Tables 3
and 4). In another study, Sivaci (2006) determined that
Sivaci, 2013
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(2): 222-226 224
Pigments Chl a (mg g-1
FW) Chl b (mg g-1
FW) Carotenoids (mg g-1
FW)
Wild almond 1.00 ± 0.01a
0.06 ± 0.00a
0.09 ± 0.00a
Cultivated almond 0.13 ± 0.00b
0.06 ± 0.00a
0.08 ± 0.01a
Table 2. Photosynthetic pigment contents in stems of cultivated and wild almonds (mg g-1
FW; Fresh weight) (It
was found that the values shown with different letters are important in terms of statistics (p <0.05), Chl a;
Chlorophyll a, Chl b; Chlorophyll b
Phenolics (µg mg-1
FW) Carbohydrates (mg g-1
DW)
Soluble sugars
(mg g-1
DW)
Starch (mg g-1
DW)
Wild almond 6.07 ± 0.30a
67.04 ± 09.73b
64.63 ± 09.51b
2.41 ± 0.36b
Cultivated
almond
1.60 ± 0.20b
84.42 ± 18.72a
80.93 ± 18.55a
3.48 ± 0.38a
Table 3. Total phenolics and carbohydrates in leaves of cultivated and wild almonds (FW; Fresh weight, DW; Dry
weight) (It was found that the values shown with different letters are important in terms of statistics (p <0.05).

4. total carbohydrates in apple varieties changed based on
season and varieties. Carbohydrate contents affecting the
plant growth and fruit yield showed differences in wild
and cultivated almonds (Tables 3 and 4). Saura-Calixto
et al., (1980) found out that sugar contents showed
differences depending on varieties in the study conducted
on sweet almond varieties.
Change of total phenolics in leaf and stem
Phenolic compounds were determined to be
different in both almonds. They were 6.07 µg mg-1
in
leaves of wild almond, and 1.60 µg mg-1
in leaves of
cultivated almond (p<0.05) (Table 3). Phenolic
compounds were 1.97 µg mg-1
in stems of wild almond,
and 1.38 µg mg-1
in those of cultivated one (p<0.05)
(Table 4). Plants are natural antioxidant resources. These
antioxidants are caratenoids, vitamins, phenols,
flavonoids, glutathione, and endogenous metabolites
(Larson, 1988). Esfahlan and Jamei (2012) determined
that flavonoid, phenolics, and antioxidant activities in
fruits of ten wild almond species changed according to
almond species. It was found out that phenolic
compounds in almonds showed differences in leaves and
stems in this study like above-mentioned study. Phenolic
compounds in leaves and stems of wild almond were
higher compared to cultivated almond (Tables 3 and 4).
CONCLUSION
It was found that total pigments (chlorophyll a,
chlorophyll b, and carotenoids), phenolic compounds and
carbohydrate contents in leaves and stem of wild and
cultivated almonds exhibited differences. The highest
total phenolic compounds were found in the leaves and
stem of wild almond. Carbohydrate contents in the leaves
and stem of cultivated almond were higher than wild
almond. Wild almond may be more resistant than
cultivated almond but carbohydrate contents of wild
almond may be insufficient.
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Sivaci, 2013
225 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2013) 2(2): 222-226
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