The chlorophyll fluorescence ratio F690/F730 in leaves of different chlorophyll content

The red laser-induced chlorophyll-fluorescence induction kinetics of predarkened leaf samples were registered simultaneously in the 690 and 730 nm regions i.e., in the region of the two chlorophyll fluorescence emission maxima. From the induction kinetics the chlorophyll fluorescence ratio F690/F730 was calculated. The ratio F690/F730 shows to be dependent on the chlorophyll content of leaves. It is significantly higher in needles of damaged spruces (values of 0.45–0.9) than in normal green needles of healthy trees (values of 0.35–0.5). During development and greening of maple leaves the ratio F690/F730 decreases with increasing chlorophyll content. Determination of the ratio F690/F730 can be a suitable method of monitoring changes in chlorophyll content in a non-destructive way in the same leaves during development or the yellowish-green discolouration of needles of damaged spruces in the Black Forest with the typical tree decline symptoms.Abbreviations F690/F730 ratio of the fluorescence yield at the two fluorescence-emission maxima in the 690 and 730 nm regions - F_m maximum fluorescence - F_s steady-state fluorescence