Seasonal Variation of Mono-, Di- and Polysaccharides in British Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

British bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta (L.) Chouard ex Rothm.) were studied for their carbohydrate content, phenology and biomass allocation and the associated physiological changes. Carbohydrate content of different parts of the plant, including roots, bulbs, leaves, scapes and flowers, were studied as total non-structural carbohydrates. Biomass and carbohydrate analysis results showed greater allocation to bulbs compared to any other vegetative part. Analysis of fructans in the bulbs showed the presence of large proportions of the polysaccharide comprising about 77% DW in mid-June 2014. The lowest fructan content of 41% DW was found at the start of re-growth in January- February 2015. The mono- and disaccharide pool in the bulbs showed high concentrations at the start of the growth period suggesting depolymerisation of fructans at this stage and their mobilisation to the growing shoots. MALDI-TOF analysis of bulb fructans showed the dominance of DP3 and DP4 chain fructans with the presence of other longer chains up to DP9 at the end of the vegetative stage in July until shoot emergence in March.