Developmental and seasonal variations in the epicuticular waxes of beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica L.).

The leaf cpicuticular waxes of beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) were analyzed continuously all over one vegetation period with preparations every week from April 24 to November 15. The folded leaves in buds contained hydrocarbons, wax esters, benzyl acyl esters, alcohols and fatty acids from the beginning, but not aldehydes. Aldehydes were identified only after 10 days of leaf unfolding. The biosynthesis of wax lipids was rapid in the first three to five weeks till May 30. During this time the wax lipids were doubled quantitatively and the chain length spccifity has also changed in all wax lipid classes. From June to October the composition of the wax lipid classes and also the chain length specifity remained constant with the exception of fatty acids. The biosynthesis of wax lipids was found to be very dynamic in the first five weeks and correlated with the leaf development and growth.