Iron deficiency in citrus limon: effects on photo‐chlorophyllase synthetic pigments and chlorophyllase activity

Abstract

The photosynthetic pigment composition of chlorotic leaves of Citrus limon L. cv. Verna, grown in the field under iron deficiency conditions was determined. A Fe‐polyflavonoid was used as fertilizer to control iron chloro‐ sis. The photosynthetic pigment content and the chlorophyllase activity were determined at 20 day intervals during the deficiency recovery period and compared to untreated similar material. The corresponding differences among treated and untreated control material were analyzed. Iron application increased the levels of all pigments, but the extent of the increase depended on the pigment affected. The chlorophylls/carotenoids and ß‐carotene/xantophylls ratios were increased as chlorosis diminished. A multivariance analysis was performed with the data obtained which revealed that chlorophyll a and ß‐carotene had the highest correlation coefficient. The chlorophyllase activity did not show significant changes, but it was lower in the treated leaves than in the untreated control leaves during all the sampling cycle.