Root and Leaf Ferric Chelate Reductase Activity in Pond Apple and Soursop

Abstract

Root and leaf ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity in Annona glabra L. (pond apple), native to subtropical wetland habitats and Annona muricata L. (soursop), native to nonwetland tropical habitats, was determined under iron (Fe)-sufficient and Fe-deficient conditions. One-year-old seedlings of each species were grown with 2, 22.5, or 45 µM Fe in a nutrient solution. The degree of tolerance of Fe deficiency was evaluated by determining root and leaf FCR activity, leaf chlorophyll index, Fe concentration in recently mature leaves, and plant growth. Root FCR activity was generally lower in soursop than in pond apple. Eighty days after plants were put in nutrient solutions, leaf FCR activity of each species was lower in plants grown with low Fe concentrations (2 µM) than in plants grown with high (22.5 or 45 µM) Fe concentrations in the nutrient solution. Leaves of pond apple grown without Fe became chlorotic within 6 weeks. The Fe level in the nutrient solution had no effect on fresh and dry weights of soursop. Lack of Fe decreased the leaf chlorophyll index and Fe concentration in recently matured leaves less in soursop than in pond apple. The rapid development of leaf chlorosis in low Fe conditions and low root and leaf FCR activities of pond apple are probably related to its native origin in wetland areas, where there is sufficient soluble Fe for adequate plant growth and development. The higher leaf FCR activity and slower growth rate of soursop compared to pond apple may explain why soursop did not exhibit leaf chlorosis even under low Fe conditions.

Keywords:

• Annona glabra
• Annona muricata
• Iron

Acknowledgments

We thank Steven Hiss, Robert Davies, and Glenn Zalman for their technical assistance. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-09556.