[Photosynthetic pigment contents of different germplasm of Rehmannia glutinosa and the relationship between pigments and leaf color]

To evaluate the germplasm of Rehmannia glutinosa on the basis of photosynthetic pigment contents (PPC).20 cultivars were planted on the same condition. On Oct. 23 and Sept. 25, 3 leaves per cultivar were collected on different plants, and 80 mg mesophyll was collected among upper lateral veins and was ground in 96% alcohol, and the supernatant was subjected to measure on a spectrophotometer (Angilent 8453).The PPCs among cultivars were significantly different at a Por = 0.01 level. The results of the measurements were similar. Chlolophyll a was the most abundant pigment, but varied to a great extent among different cultivars. 20 cultivars were divided into 9 homogeneous groups according to the contents of chlorophyll a by Duncan's multiple range test at Por = 0.05. In addition, the content of chlorophyll a was closely related to leaf color. The cultivars with higher chlolophyll a had deep green leaves, and those with lower had yellow green or pale green leaves.PPC was an inherent character and an important index for the germplasm evaluation of R. glutinosa.