Forms of microelements in apple leaves under different conditions of iron and zinc nutrition

Abstract

The research was carried out with the aim of studying the influence of various zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) concentrations in the nutritive medium on the accumulation of inorganic and organic forms of Fe, Zn, manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) in apple leaves (Malus cv. Prima) during the period of vegetation. This investigation revealed processes of Fe synergistic and antagonistic interactions with a number of elements on their flux into plants. Sufficiently low concentrations of inorganic Fe forms (3–24% of the total element content) present as ions (nonabsorbed and unbound in organic complexes by cell organelles) were found during the vegetative period of apple seedlings. The low content of inorganic Fe forms is an indication of the relatively low mobility of Fe compounds in plants. There was a tendency towards abnormal accumulation and transport of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu with excess or deficiency of Zn or Fe in the nutrient medium.