GROWTH AND MICRONUTRIENT ACQUISITION OF IN VITRO GROWN BITTER ALMOND AND SOUR ORANGE IN RESPONSE TO IRON CONCENTRATION FROM DIFFERENT IRON CHELATES

ABSTRACT

Responses of microshoot growth and micronutrient acquisition in bitter almond (Amygdalus communis L.) and sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) to different iron (Fe) concentrations (7.45, 14.90, 22.35, or 29.80 mg L⁻¹) added from FeEDTA or FeEDDHA were studied in vitro. Increasing FeEDTA concentration more than (22.35 mg L⁻¹) or using FeEDDHA as Fe source resulted in a significant decrease in most growth parameters (microshoot length, proliferation, and dry weight). Compared to the control, Fe and manganese (Mn) acquisition by microshoots increased with increasing Fe concentration in all treatments. On the other hand, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) acquisition showed a decrease along with increasing Fe level. Generally, growth and micronutrient acquisition in both plants were higher when FeEDTA was used rather than FeEDDHA as Fe source except for Fe acquisition by bitter almond and Cu by sour orange. This could be attributed to the genetic variations between these species.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Authors would like to thank the Deanship of Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology for supporting this study, Project #3/99.