Evolution of autumn leaf coloration of silver linden (Tilia tomentosa) with color spectrophotometer

OpenAlex İngilizce

Due to the presence of chlorophyll pigments, leaves are typically green during the vegetation period. Chlorophyll captures solar energy and uses it to synthesize simple sugars from water and carbon dioxide. As daylight shortens and temperatures drop in autumn, chlorophyll levels decline, causing leaf color to shift from green to yellow, orange, red, and eventually to "feuille morte" (dead leaf). In this study, spectrophotometric measurements of silver linden (Tilia tomentosa) leaf color using CIE Lab* and CIE XYZ systems showed strong correlations with SPAD values, which indicate chlorophyll content. silver linden leaves were observed to be deep green in spring, gradually transitioning to silvery-white and finally yellow in autumn. Spectrophotometric data revealed that the highest SPAD value (50.26) was associated with the lowest lightness (L*: 34.19), yellowness (b*: 12.17), and chroma (C*: 15.84). In contrast, the lowest SPAD value (1.0) corresponded to the highest lightness (L*: 80.11), yellowness (b*: 67.55), and chroma (C*: 67.72). No negative b* values (blue tones) were recorded for Silver Linden. Additionally, dark green leaves with the highest SPAD value showed the lowest tristimulus values (X: 6.88, Y: 8.10, Z: 6.09).