Morphological changes in leaves of Mexican lime affected by iron chlorosis

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 615 - 628
• Main Authors: Maldonado-Torres, R, Etchevers-Barra, J.D, Alcantar-Gonzalez, G, Rodriguez-Alcazar, J, Colinas-Leon, M.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, NJ Taylor & Francis Group 01-05-2006; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; alkaline soils; Biological and medical sciences; calcareous soil; calcium; calcium oxalate; carbonates; cell structures; chlorophyll; chlorosis; Citrus aurantifolia; Citrus aurantiifolia; disease severity; Economic plant physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; grana; iron; iron deficiency; leaves; limes; manganese; Metabolism; Metabolism. Physicochemical requirements; Mexican lemon; mineral nutrition; nutrient deficiencies; Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; parenchyma; photosynthesis; Physiological diseases. Varia; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; plant diseases and disorders; plant morphology; Plant physiology and development; potassium; starch granules; thylakoids; tree growth; tree nutrition; ultrastructure; Mexico; Carbon compound; Citrus fruit; Group VIII metal; Rutaceae; Iron; Inorganic element; mineral nutrition; Medicinal plant; Dicotyledones; alkaline soils; Angiospermae; Citrus aurantifolia; Fruit tree; Carbonates; calcareous soil; iron deficiency; Mexican lemon; Morphological variation; Deficiency; Iron chlorosis; Plant leaf; PLANT NUTRITION; Alkaline soil; Calcareous soils; Fruit crop; Vegetative apparatus; Spermatophyta; Trace element (nutrient); Citrus aurantiifolia
• ISSN: 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904160600564337

Iron (Fe) chlorosis reduces the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, photosynthates, and crop yield. The effect of Fe chlorosis on leaf composition and cell structure was evaluated in Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) with different degrees of Fe chlorosis. Iron chlorosis significantly reduced concentrations of chlorophylls a, b, and a + b, and caused thickening of leaves, due to the increase in palisade and spongy parenchyma cells. The chloroplasts of the chlorotic and albino leaves showed a disorganized ultrastructure; they had an elongated shape with disarrayed thylakoids, underdeveloped grana, scarce starch granules, and hole-like folds in the thylakoid membranes. The accumulation of calcium oxalate crystals in the upper and lower sides of the epidermis, crystal length, and total crystal content increased with Fe chlorosis severity. The green leaves, in contrast, had chloroplasts with typical ultrastructure. The degree of Fe chlorosis in the leaves significantly affected the concentrations of potassium (K); Fe, manganese (Mn), Fe(2+), and the phosphorus (P)/Fe and K/calcium (Ca) ratios.