Correlation analysis of the leaf color presentation of three red leaved cultivars of Aglaonema modestum

Aglaonema modestum is one of the shade-tolerant foliage plants with a wide variety of leaf colors, and the A. modestum with red leaves has always been a favorite. However, red leaf varieties were prone to color instability during cultivation, resulting in a decline in the quality of potted flowers. To better understand the physiological mechanisms underlying leaf coloration in A. modestum, three cultivars, A. modestum Big Apple, China Red, and Redder Valentine, were selected for this study. Pigment content, elemental composition, and cytosolic pH were measured, and the correlation between leaf color and elemental content was analyzed. The total anthocyanin content was the key pigment to determine the leaf color, and a higher Ant/Chl t ratio was associated with more saturated red leaf color in the studied phenotypes. The results showed that the contents of P, Mg, V, Cu, K, Na, and S were significantly positively correlated with the total anthocyanin content, while the contents of Mn and Sr were significantly negatively correlated with the total anthocyanin content. It is crucial to note that the correlations identified here are descriptive and do not establish causality. Direct interventional experiments, such as applying tailored fertilizer regimes and monitoring subsequent color changes, are required to validate the causative roles of these elements before concrete fertilization recommendations can be made.