Abstract: To explore the relationship between leaf morphology and effective components of Discorea nipponica Makino, we carried out the study about its leaf morphology diversity characteristics, chlorophyll contents and photosynthate contents of two provenances of this species in Shanxi Province. On this basis, the relationship between leaf morphology, chlorophyll content and photosynthate content was analyzed. The results showed that Discorea nipponica Makino was a species with polymorphism leaf morphology. Two leaf types of Discorea nipponica Makino were found. There were both long leaf type and broad leaf type, the former accounted for more than 80%; The leaves were clearly distinguished as dark green and light green. The dark green leaves were mostly thick paper, and the light green leaves were mostly thin paper; The leaves were 2-6 cracks, and leaf angle was between 40°-70°. The leaves morphology showed no significant difference between the two provenances, but the leaves morphological indexes were closely related. There was no significant correlation between leaf type and chlorophyll, photosynthate content. The relationship between leaf color and chlorophyll, photosynthate content was significant. The average values of chlorophyll content and photosynthate content in dark green leaves were higher than those in light green leaves. The chlorophyll content of leaves with 5 cracks and 2 cracks is higher. The content of photosynthate in leaves with 2 cracks was higher. The relationship between leaf angle and leaf soluble protein, soluble sugar, starch, reducing sugar content was significant. The overall change trend of content was as follows:With the increase of leaf angle, photosynthate content increased. In the course of screening high-quality resources of Discorea nipponica Makino, the plants of dark green, 2 cracks, larger angle leaves could be preferred selected. This study could provide basic information for breeding of Discorea nipponica Makino.

Key words: Discorea nipponica Makino, Leaf morphology, Chlorophyll, Photosynthate

CLC Number: 

• S567.23