Margitay L. Physiological and biochemical features of xerophytes of Aloe L. and Agave L.

The dissertation is devoted to the comparative investigation of the photosynthetic pigments, ions (Са2+, К+, Na+) and proteins content in the leaves of acclimatized species of Aloe and Agave genera (Agave ferox C. Кoch; Ag. americana L.; Ag. attenuata Salm; Ag. filifera Salm; Ag. heteracantha Bgr.; Aloe x delaetii Radl.; Al. saponaria Haw.; Al. mitriformis Mill.; Al. striata Haw.; Al. ciliaris Haw.; Al. camperi Schweinf.; Al. arborescens Mill.; Al. barbadensis Mill.; Al. aristata Haw.; Al. humilis (L.) Mill.; Al. striatula Haw.; Al. spinosissima x Hort; Al. variegata L.; Al. reitzii Reyn; Al. plicatilis (L.) Mill.). Differences, indicating on a genetic individuality of each species were found. Low total content of chlorophyll testifies that all these species are lightrequiring. According to the concentration of chlorophyll species Al. ciliaris and Al. striatula are less lightrequiring. It must be taken into consideration for cultivation of these plants. In our opinion not high indexes of correlations between chlorophyll a and b and chlorophyll a+b and carotenoids are significant peculiarities of these succulents, which are the results of their adaptation to the negative environmental factors such as: water deficit, high temperature of soil and air, high sun radiation. Investigation of electrophoretic patterns of acid soluble proteins, nucleo- and lipoproteins and multiple molecular forms of peroxidase shows, that each of species has individual spectrum of proteins. We can say, that morphological peculiarities of the most studied species correlate with their protein patterns. It is confirmed possible to use the method of protein disc-electrophoresis as an additional criterion when solving disputable problems of Aloe and Agave taxonomy.