After 4 weeks, one leaf from each treatment was collected and weighted for mass. Then, the leaves were being placed inside a microfuge tube containing 800 μL of …show more content…
The anthocyanin level in control group (1.20*10^-6 M) is observed to be less than in the nitrate-starved group (2.33*10^-6 M). This is consistent with the prediction that the mean anthocyanin concentration in the nitrate-starved group should be higher than in the control group. In a recent study done by Scheible et al. (2004) suggested that two of the anthocyanin regulatory genes, PAP1 and PAP2, are induced by nitrogen starvation.
The accumulation of anthocyanin might provide a protective effect from light for plants as a consequence of nitrate limitation. Anthocyanin may protect the young expanding leaves as them ageing. Nitrogen deficiency might speed up the senescence of old leaves since they are more easily to get damaged by light, however, the nitrogen mobilization and other mobile elements from these older leaves help the younger ones stay healthy (Diaz et al.