CHANGES IN CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TWIGS AND BUDS OF YELLOW POPLAR DURING THE DORMANT PERIOD

Abstract

Some of the chemical changes occurring in the buds and 1-yr.-old twigs of Liriodendron tulipifera during the winter and upon breaking of dormancy are reported. There is an apparent decrease in total N throughout the dormant period. Early in March much of the insoluble N fraction was converted into soluble compounds which were resynthesized into insoluble forms during early April, probably being converted into proteins forming new protoplasm in the expanding buds. All of the carbohydrate fractions appear to be utilized in respiration, starch and the simple sugars most readily, and the hemicelluloses least readily if at all. With the resumption of photosynthetic activity starch and hemicelluloses are formed.