PHOTOSYNTETIC RATE AND CHLOROPHYLL ACTIVE PIGMENTS CONTENT IN THE PLANTS OF AMARANTH (AMARANTHUS spp.)
HOLUBOVA, K., HNILICKA, F.
Abstract
Four most important genotypes of Amaranth sp. were
evaluated as afield trial during the year 2000. It concerned A,cruentus (FICHA],
A. caudatus ( CAC 48), A. hypochondriacus ( 1008) and A. cruentus. They were
grown on the fields ofCAUin Prague. Sowing was done by hand on 3.5.2000. Seven
chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate evaluations were carried out during
the growing season.
We used photo spectrometer analyser and open gasometrical system ofLCA- 4 analyser.
The year 2000 was extremely warm and dry. Our results are only preliminary,
because the evaluations are only for one year. The interesting finding was,
that stable dropping of the pigments content was noted from the 21.8.2000 (
calculated on leaf area unit). Photosynthetic rate rose till the Devaluation
(8. 9. 2000), then the rate was dropping. Amaranth is C4 plant, therefore it
is possible, that the temperatures during the summer months were suitable for
these plants, therefore the dropping of the photosynthetic rate -was not found
out. Marked differences in photosynthesis were found between A. caudarus ( CAC
48) and A. cruentus (FICHA) only.
Key words:
Amaranth, photosynthetic rate, pigments content.