Caracterização fotoquímica de ilex paraguariensis

Abstract

The present study sought to evaluate differences in photosynthetic efficiency between seedlings of different ages and between different leaf strata of Ilex paraguariensis, a tree species native to South America, found mainly in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. During the experiments, the plants were kept in greenhouses. Measurements to compare seedlings of different ages were carried out using the highest leaf that was completely expanded and considered healthy (n=5), while measurements between leaves of different positions were carried out with plants of the same age (n=5). Measurements of the amount of chlorophyll a, b and total were carried out using a chlorophyllometer (FALKER) and the other measurements were made using a fluorometer (OS5p+). The results showed no significant difference between plants of different ages. Among leaves from different strata, the results indicate that the best leaves to use are those with a median position, followed by the youngest leaves, with the use of base leaves not being recommended.