Fe‐deficiency tolerance in papaya (Carica papaya L.): Ph reduction and chlorosis recovery in response to stress

Abstract

The phenomenon of Fe‐stress response mechanism was examined using papaya as a test fruit plant species. This plant behaved like the many Fe‐efficient crop cultivars, reduced the pH of the minus Fe nutrient medium, followed by recovery from chlorosis. The response mechanism was observed in both the 2 cultivars, CO‐1 and CO‐3. Evidence obtained with this plant supports the widespread occurrence of the mechanism in diverse crop species ‐ grain, vegetable and fruit crop plants too.

Key words:

• Fe‐stress response
• pH reduction
• chlorosis recovery
• fruit plant
• papaya