Pigments, proteins, amino acids and nonstructural carbohydrates may be used as indicators related to Zn nutritional status on pecan trees
The purpose of a study by Angélica Anahí Acevedo-Barrera et al. (*) was to analyze the effect of Zn nutritional status on the content of pigments, nonstructural carbohydrates, foliage proteins and amino acids of the pecan tree, as possible bioindicators of Zn deficiency.
The experimental design was completely random with three Zn nutritional statuses: Normal, Intermediate and Deficient, being selected considering visual symptomatology. On all three nutritional statuses, the concentration of photosynthetic pigments was determined as well as of total soluble proteins and amino acids.
Obtained results indicate that Zn deficient nutritional status was characterized by minimum photosynthetic pigment, protein concentrations, maximum amino acid and nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations.
While the normal Zn nutritional status presented maximum photosynthetic pigments, proteins concentrations, minimum amino acids and carbohydrate concentrations.
On the other hand, intermediate Zn nutritional status was characterized by a medium level between the other two Zn nutritional statuses.
Finally, we stress the fact that pigments, proteins, amino acids and nonstructural carbohydrates may be good physiological indicators related to Zn nutritional status on pecan trees.
Picture
Zn nutrition status in pecan tree leaves in accordance with its symptomatology.
(a) Normal: even green leaf.
(b) Intermediate: leaves with early stage Zn deficiency symptomatology showing spotted regions, general internode chlorosis and early stage necrosis.
(c) Deficient: leaves with serious Zn deficiency symptoms showing chlorosis, necrosis and leaves with undulate margins.
(*) Source
Role of the Zinc Nutritional Status on Main Physiological Bioindicators of the Pecan Tree
Angélica Anahí Acevedo-Barrera, Esteban Sánchez, Rosa María Yáñez-Muñoz, Juan Manuel Soto-Parra, Ángel Lagarda-Murrieta, Vicente de Paul Álvarez-Reyna, Eduardo Madero-Tamargo, Alejandro Moreno-Resendez
Agricultural Sciences, 2017, 8, 1327-1336, PDF
ISSN Online: 2156-8561
ISSN Print: 2156-8553
