Micronutrients affecting leaf biochemical responses during pineapple development

Abstract

An adequate mineral nutrition is essential for the development and productivity of pineapple. However, little is known about the nutritional and metabolic changes that occur in this crop in response to micronutrient deficiency or excess, particularly on tropical conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the application effects of micronutrients in soil and in leaf on biochemical responses of leaves during the development cycle of the pineapple crop. Samples were collected at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 17 months after transplantation. Leaf soluble carbohydrates and N-aminosoluble compounds were determined, as well as variations in the titratable acidity and pH. The soil and leaf micronutrient application increased the concentrations of carbohydrates and N-aminosoluble and reduced the leaf pH, and the changes were more significant in the last sampling (17 months after transplantation). Reductions in concentrations of carbohydrates and increase in the titratable acidity of the pineapple leaves collected at the end of the night were also observed, a fact that reflects the metabolism of Crassulacean acid metabolism species. The strategy of micronutrient application contributes positively to alter the metabolism of plants of pineapple cv. Victoria, especially during flowering and fruit development.

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of D-leaf of seven pineapple varieties differing in N-P-K% contents

“…Particularly, the leaves either directly receive the sprayed nutrients or roots absorb the nutrients from soil, which are then translocated into the leaves and assimilated. Also, the leaf NPK contents directly influence the leaf photosynthetic capacity and thus affects overall growth and development and reproductive development in pineapple [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Being prominent site of N assimilation, the leaf N content also depends on photosynthesis, carbon (C) metabolism, and amino acid synthesis [ 7 ]. Multiple studies have attempted to measure the differential N contents in different pineapple varieties cultivated across the globe [ 1 , 4 , 8 , 9 ], however, the pathways and their differential regulation in this fruit plant have not been discovered in detail. Since, plants take up numerous nutrients (majorly N and P) from soil, which are also transported and assimilated in leaves as well as other plant tissues [ 10 ].…”