Comparative analysis of the dust retention capacity and leaf microstructure of 11 Sophora japonica clones

Abstract

We used fresh leaves of Sophora japonica L. variety ‘Qingyun 1’ (A0) and 10 superior clones of the same species (A1–A10) to explore leaf morphological characteristics and total particle retention per unit leaf area under natural and artificial simulated dust deposition treatments. Our objectives were to explore the relationship between the two methods and to assess particle size distribution, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) heavy metal content, and scanning electron and atomic force microscopy (SEM and AFM) characteristics of leaf surface microstructure. Using the membership function method, we evaluated the dust retention capacity of each clone based on the mean degree of membership of its dust retention index. Using correlation analysis, we selected leaf morphological and SEM and AFM indices related significantly to dust retention capacity. Sophora japonica showed excellent overall dust retention capacity, although this capacity differed among clones. A5 had the strongest overall retention capacity, A2 had the strongest retention capacity for PM2.5, A9 had the strongest retention capacity for PM2.5–10, A0 had the strongest retention capacity for PM>10, and A2 had the strongest specific surface area (SSA) and heavy metal adsorption capacity. Overall, A1 had the strongest comprehensive dust retention ability, A5 was intermediate, and A7 had the weakest capacity. Certain leaf morphological and SEM and AFM characteristic indices correlated significantly with the dust retention capacity.

Metabolomic analysis reveals dynamic changes in secondary metabolites of Sophora japonica L. during flower maturation

“…It is valued for its ornamental, medicinal, and edible properties. In northern China, S. japonica is often cultivated as an urban tree to absorb dust and beautify the environment ( Yu et al, 2021b ). In southern China, S. japonica is an economically important plant, and the flower/flower bud (FFB-SJ) is used to extract rutin ( Horosanskaia et al, 2017 ) and produce natural dyes ( Chen et al, 2010 ).…”

The relationship between atmospheric particulate matter, leaf surface microstructure, and the phyllosphere microbial diversity of Ulmus L.

“…In this study, the average TSP values of the ten Ulmus lines (135.76 µg·cm − 2 ; Fig. 1 ) were much higher (by 59.62–231.44%) than most common woody plants under similar climatic conditions, including Buxus megistophylla , Fraxinus pennsylvanica , and Sophora japonica [ 5 , 6 , 72 ]. Besides, the TSP concentration at the study site was 167.36 ± 39.66 µg·m − 3 during the sampling period; in other words, a dollar coin-sized Ulmus leaf (with a double-sided area of 11.03 cm 2 ) would be sufficient to remove about 8.95 µg·m − 3 of the PM.…”

Sophora japonica L. bioactives: Chemistry, sources, and processing techniques

“…S. japonica is known by various common names in these countries, such as the Chinese scholar tree (China), Hoe‐wha‐na‐moo (Korea), acacia del Japón (Spain), Japanische Schnurbaum (Germany), and Sophora du Japon (France) (He et al., 2016). S. japonica is often cultivated for its ornamental value in landscaping, to purify the air, or to improve soil quality (Yu et al., 2021). Moreover, it is also an important economical plant with edible and medicinal properties.…”