THE VERTICAL PATTERN OF PIGMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN CHLOROPLASTS OF SPHAGNUM-CAPILLIFOLIUM

The concentrations of chloroplast pigments were determined in current- year tissues of Sphagnum capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw. harvested at the end of the growing season in a bog in the southern Alps of Italy. Conc entrations of both chlorophylls were highest in the midsummer segment. Concentrations of carotenoids were fairly stable, except in the sprin g segment, whereas chlorophyll derivatives (pheophytin, pheophorbide, and chlorophyllide) accumulated in the top segment, corresponding to t he autumnal capitulum. This indicates a rapid degradation of chlorophy ll, probably caused by nightly chilling, at the end of the growing sea son.