Seasonal change in nagilactone contents in leaves in Podocarpus nagi forest

Nagilactones isolated from Podocarpus nagi (Thunb.) Zoll. et Moritz, are known by their physiological activities as a plant growth inhibitor or antiherbivory substance. As the first step in clarifying the nagilactone dynamics in a forest canopy, the seasonal variations in nagilactone contents in leaves and mass of nagilactones accumulated in the canopy were examined at Mt. Mikasa, Nara City, central Japan. Nagilactone content in mature leaves dropped sharply in May, when new leaves flushed. The nagilactone content of new leaves was far greater than that of mature leaves, implying a translocation of nagilactones from old leaves to new leaves. The total mass of nagilactones in the canopy was 3.9 kg/ha.