Chlorophyll Content and Reflection Spectra of Citrus Leaves

Abstract

1. The chlorophyll content of fresh, healthy lemon leaves was significantly lower than that of Washington Navel or Valencia orange or of Marsh grapefruit leaves. 2. Eureka lemon leaves had the highest reflectance at the wave length of maximum reflectance (540 mμ). Leaves of grapefruit and Valencia orange had intermediate and leaves of Washington Navel orange the lowest reflectance at that wave length. 3. By visual methods only the difference between the color of Eureka lemon leaves and the other three varieties could be detected. 4. The higher color value of Eureka lemon leaves is shown to be a result of lower chlorophyll a + b concentrations and consequent higher visible-light reflectivities in the green region of the solar spectrum.