Developmental and Seasonal variations in the epicuticular waxes of beech leaves (fagus sylvatica l.)

Abstract

The leaf epicuticular waxes of beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) were analyzed continuously all over one vegetation period with preparations every week from April 24 to N ovem ber 15. The folded leaves in buds contained hydrocarbons, wax esters, benzyl acyl esters, alcohols and fatty acids from the beginning, but not aldehydes. A ldehydes were identified only after 10 days of leaf unfolding. The biosynthesis of wax lipids was rapid in the first three tofive weeks till May 30. D uring this time the wax lipids were doubled quantitatively and the chain length specifity has also changed in all wax lipid classes. From June to October the com position of the wax lipid classes and also the chain length specifity rem ained co nstant with the exception of fatty acids. The biosynthesis of wax lipids was found to be very dynam ic in the first five weeks and correlated with the leaf developm ent and growth. © 1990, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.