Changes in leaf epicuticular wax with age of Chenopodium album L. and Abutilon theophrasti Medik

Epicuticular wax comprises a complex mixture of diverse organic compounds. The predominant class of compounds consists of long-chain n-alkanes. Chenopodium album and Abutilon theophrasti are cosmopolitan weed species, both of economic importance due to difficulties in control, and both species produce wax on the leaf surface. This study shows that in C. album, the proportion of epicuticular waxes has higher values in the oldest leaves and lower in the youngest leaves. Conversely, in A. theophrasti, the mean wax content tended to be slightly higher in the younger upper leaves compared to the lower leaves. The proportion of waxes in leaves does not reflect the stage of development in either species. In the epicuticular wax composition of C. album leaves, alkanes and alcohols are the most abundant compounds. Conversely, in A. theophrasti leaves, alkanes, alcohols, and triterpenes dominate. Quantitative variations in leaf epicuticular waxes are influenced by leaf age.