Principal component analysis of changes due to water stress for some osmolytes, pigments and antioxidant enzymes in Gmelina arborea Robx. Leaves from trees planted in northern Colombia

Abstract

Gmelina arborea is a tree having great economic impact due to its advantages as a fast-growing timber tree. G. arborea is currently being planted on the North Coast of Colombia, especially on the dry plains near the Caribbean. However, the stress conditions produced by drought to which they are periodically subjected lead to plantation loss. This study was thus aimed at measuring catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities as well as total sugar, reducing sugar, proline, carotenoids, chlorophyll A, B and total chlorophyll content in G. arborea leaves sampled during three seasons of the year. Principal component analysis showed that the measured variables had patterns depending on age and season, in addition to an inverse correlation between chlorophyll A, B and total chlorophyll and the other measured variables. © 2011 Sociedade Brasileira de Química.