Estimation of foliar pigments and its relationship with leaf thickness in 16 species of genus Eria of family Orchidaceae

Foliar pigments were measured in 16 species of the genus Eria to findout variation among the different species grown under same enviromental conditions and their relationship with leaf thickness was established. The results showed significant variation among the different species. Maximum concentrations of chloriphyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids were present in E. clausa with a minimum leaf thickness of 20mm. A negative correlation (r=−0.60 to −0.68) was observed between leaf thickness and pigment concentrations. The cluster analysis grouped the species into four distinct clusters based on the pigment concentrations, while E. clausa remain separated from all the clusters for higher concentrations of all the pigments.